Michael Miltenberger

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I wish to table the following document, entitled “NT Energy Strategic Plan 2012-2014.”

That is an option that is currently under consideration. Thank you.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. This issue has been discussed around the Cabinet table. As well, the Power Corp has had discussions about what may be possible among its board members and within the corporation. As well, there have been some discussions with the proponents of these various projects about the need for affordable energy and power, how critical that could be and what’s possible, especially looking at the area by the Buffalo Junction where some of the proposed sites are. Thank you.

As well, Mr. Speaker, I wish to table the following document, entitled “Public Accounts 2010-2011 Section I and II.”

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. The Department of Environment and Natural Resources has done a significant amount of work on the whole area of biomass and released a Biomass Strategy. We have invested significantly as a government in converting buildings. We are talking to a proponent now, currently, who has some very ambitious plans to look at a pellet plant in the North that would bring value-added industries into the North for the provision of biomass. NTPC itself is going to be looking at the possibilities in some of the smaller communities to try to look at replacement of diesel. As well, as we...

There is significant potential. We’ve spent, over the last Assembly and before, about $13 million doing all the technical work, getting all the permitting and environmental work done when we initially contemplated going up to the diamond mines. That has not proven feasible, so now we are looking at options both north and south with grid connections with putting the power into the communities, a possible hookup to Yellowknife. The Member has mentioned two potential mine projects that could put that power to use. We know that the Taltson has up to about 200 megawatts of power if fully put to use...

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I give notice that, on Friday, February 17, 2012, I will move that Bill 3, Supplementary Appropriation Act (Operations Expenditures), No. 3, 2011-2012, be read for the first time. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Yes, we are fully engaged with DND both in terms of the immediate response, looking at what happened. As well, we have folks looking at what caused this, what needs to be done in the future, the issue of accounting that the Member has talked about. We are engaged and we will be fully engaged with them until this whole matter is put to rest.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Devolution clearly is a priority of this government, but clearly in this instance I agree with the Member, it’s not germane to the matter at hand. Yes, NTPC is hard at work on their general rate application. As well, we are hard at work in making sure we get power up and running and we get off diesel. We’ll be sorting through as they do the debrief of what happened, and look at where the costs and all the things that happened that contributed to this unfortunate circumstance to see where obligations lie. We will follow up once that’s done.

As I’ve indicated, we’ve set the target for ourselves at reducing our emissions to 2005 levels or less. If that is through the course of the business planning process not deemed adequate by the Legislature and committees as we come forward, we will look at making whatever adjustments are agreed to. This is the result of the Greenhouse Gas Strategy that was just renewed at the tail end of the last Assembly. Of course, it’s subject to ongoing review and we’ll be happy to work with Members opposite as we go through the business planning process.