Vermont residents probably aren’t too happy with buying Hydro-Quebec power these days. Central Vermont Public Service Corp. [Corp.] has asked state regulators to increase rates 6.6% in 1998. In the past summer and winter had different rates. “Incentives” were in place to encourage using less power in the winters.
Hydro-Quebec’s cost increases accounted for $14.3 million of the total 15.4 millions in new revenues for the Corp. Tree trimming would account for most of the remainder, to keep electrical lines free from danger.
Bill Namagoose, executive director of the Grand Council of the Crees told the nation how he felt about the Vermont situation. He said “The Crees gave the Vermont electrical companies the Goodman Group’s analysis of Vermont’s energy needs and options. We spent a lot of money and time, as well as providing testimony. The Crees looked at all the issues. We showed them to the companies but they decided to sign, regardless of the Cree opinion and expert analysis. We gave them the cultural and environmental ramifications of their decision upon the Cree Nation and the land. We also gave them the economic analysis. Now it’s seven years later and they’re reaping what they sowed.”
Namagoose went on to say that the Quebec government is in a similar boat. He said that if Hydro-Quebec built Great Whale at a cost of $13 billion, they would have no market for the electricity. This means that the interest would about $1.5 billion. The consequences would have been serious for Quebec and Hydro-Quebec according to Namagoose. The utility would be incurring huge losses and as a result probably almost bankrupt. Without the current skimming off profits from Hydro-Quebec, Premier Bouchard wouldn’t have been able to start cleaning up Quebec’s fiscal mess. “This is the Crees gift to Quebec’s society,” said Namagoose.
Hydro-Quebec’s spokesperson, Steve Flanagan, said that he was unwilling to comment on the Grand Council’s statements at this time but pointed out that Hydro-Quebec has three criteria in J determining whether or not to go ahead with a project. “First it must be economically sound. For Hydro-Quebec, that means less than three cents a kilowatt hour to create it. Secondly the proposed project must be acceptable environmentally stated Flanagan. The third and most important component according to Flanagan is community acceptance. “We’ve talked with some Cree leaders. We had some talks with the GCCQ on what we want to do with Great Whale or the Rupert rivers. They are aware if they don’t want the projects we will go away.” Said Flanagan.
Flanagan said that the Hydro-Quebec relationship with Vermont is business as usual. “We have a good relationship with them” said Flanagan. He pointed out that in the past Hydro and Vermont have had agreements to reduce the bills. “We’ve always listened to what they had to say. If they have to increase rates because we have to increase rates, it’s business, that’s all” said Flanagan. He added that the door is always open at Hydro-Quebec to discussion options.
