Premier Ball Releases Plan to Protect Residents from the Cost Impacts of Muskrat Falls

Press Release

April 15, 2019

Today, the Honourable Dwight Ball, Premier of Newfoundland and Labrador, was joined by the Honourable Siobhan Coady, Minister of Natural Resources, to release “Protecting You from the Cost Impacts of Muskrat Falls.” It is designed to protect residents from increases to electricity rates and taxes resulting from the Muskrat Falls project that would affect the cost of living.

It is the culmination of a series of important steps taken to protect residents. The Provincial Government restored the Board of Commissioners of Public Utilities’ (PUB) appropriate role in giving oversight to the Muskrat Falls Project when it engaged the PUB in examining options to mitigate the impact of Muskrat Falls. The Provincial Government has used the interim report produced by the PUB to inform its plan and future actions. In addition, the Provincial Government secured a federal commitment to further engage with Newfoundland and Labrador to expeditiously examine the financial structure of the Muskrat Falls Project, so that the province can achieve rate mitigation.

To manage electricity rates, approximately $725.9 million is expected to be required to address Muskrat Falls costs in the first full year of electricity generation.

To address this cost, the proposed framework includes:

• NL Hydro Net Operations Savings and Revenue ($178.2 million)
  • Includes fuel savings from NL Hydro’s Holyrood Thermal Generating Station relating to transition to Muskrat Falls power and non-Muskrat Falls regulated revenue increase

• Newfoundland and Labrador Investment ($249.1 million)
  • Committed $200 million in Nalcor dividends towards rate management through the budget process; and
  • $49.1 million in Hydro surplus export sales

• Reducing Expenses ($39.4 million)
  • $20 million through efficiencies and reducing duplication at Nalcor;
  • $12 million by reducing operation and maintenance costs on Muskrat Falls generation and transmission by 15 per cent; and
  • $7.4 million by reducing the amount of diesel fuel used for electricity generation in isolated areas; using renewable energy.

• Raising Revenue ($59.2 million)
  • $15 million by fuel switching to electricity in public buildings;
  • $35.5 million by adding value to energy surplus; and
  • $8.7 million by selling carbon performance credits to carbon emitters, as the Holyrood Thermal Generating Station uses less fuel and decreases Greenhouse Gas emissions.

• Managing Financing ($200 million)
  • The Federal Government has agreed to enter into a formal process with the Provincial Government to identify ways that the province can achieve rate mitigation.
    • As part of the process, Canada and Newfoundland and Labrador agree:
    • To undertake a thorough analysis of the underlying drivers of expected electricity rate increases;
    • To consider all options including those identified in the interim PUB report, to achieve rate mitigation;
    • To consider options to enable the province to sell more of its electricity in markets outside the province such that the province can realize greater returns from its electricity generating capacity;
    • To consider options for how the Lower Churchill projects’ affordable, clean energy can further the governments’ mutual commitment to fighting climate change; and
    • To conclude the discussions in as expeditious a manner as possible, so that the key policy issues are identified before the PUB prepares its final report.

For a copy of the plan, visit www.gov.nl.ca/muskratfallsframework.

Quotes
“I promised Newfoundlanders and Labradorians that they will not bear the burden of higher electricity rates or taxes as a result of Muskrat Falls. My government will deliver on that promise by increasing revenues, reducing costs, and continuing our work with the Federal Government to achieve the best possible outcomes for the people we both serve.”
Honourable Dwight Ball
Premier of Newfoundland and Labrador

“Our government inherited a project over budget and behind schedule. Through diligence and hard work we now have the project under control. This is the next step in that process – one that will protect you from feeling the financial impacts of Muskrat Falls.”
Honourable Siobhan Coady
Minister of Natural Resource

“The seven Members of Parliament for Newfoundland and Labrador know that rate mitigation is an important issue to the people of this province, and we intend to deliver. Our Federal Government made a firm commitment to further engage with the province to expeditiously examine the financial structure of the Muskrat Falls Project, so that the province can achieve rate mitigation. We will do just that.”
Honourable Seamus O’Regan
Minister of Indigenous Services, Government of Canada

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Learn more
Protecting You from the Cost Impacts of Muskrat Falls

Mitigating Muskrat: 38 Month Review

Reference Question to Board on Rate Mitigation Options and Impacts

Minister Coady Releases Interim Report on Muskrat Falls from Board of Commissioners of Public Utilities

Media contacts
Erin Sulley
Office of the Premier
709-729-3960
erinsulley@gov.nl.ca

Lisa Lawlor
Natural Resources
709-729-5777, 631-8155
lisalawlor@gov.nl.ca

Rachel Rappaport
Office of the Honourable Seamus O’Regan, Minister of Indigenous Services
819-934-2796

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