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Wednesday, May 25, 2011

Liberals Critical Of Energy Commission's Final Report

The Opposition Liberals not impressed with the final report from the New Brunswick Energy Commission.

The report contains 50 recommendations for the province on how to develop a 10-year energy plan.

Energy Critic Brian Kenny tells CHSJ News there are two key issues missing from the report which are how the government will deal with NB Power's five billion dollar debt and the costs at Point Lepreau. He warns not only is the debt is not going away, it continues to grow each day.
Kenny predicts those two issues will drive up residential power rates and should have been dealt with in the report.

The energy commission is recommending New Brunswick increase its reliance on natural gas as the province makes the transition to using more renewable energy.

The commission points out natural gas is used in 49 per cent of households in Canada, but only 4.3 per cent in New Brunswick.

Raphael Shay of the Conservation Council of New Brunswick says natural gas has a history of volatile price swings.