The Globe and Mail reports that, “The Quebec government is on the road to signing a long-term hydroelectric export contract to the United States.”
“The U.S. Federal Energy Regulatory Commission yesterday approved a funding arrangement for construction of a major transmission line involving Hydro-Quebec and two American-based companies, NSTAR Electric Co. and Northeast Utilities Service Co.”
“The 1,200-megawatt transmission line will cross into the United States from Quebec to become part of the U.S. energy grid.”
FERC Chairman Jon Wellinghoff describes the project as ‘clean, low-cost energy,’ which means for the first time the “U.S. recognizes Quebec’s hydroelectricity as a ‘clean’ source of energy, Quebec’s Minister of Natural Energy Claude Béchard said.”
“Mr. Béchard said the ruling paves the way to negotiating the terms of a 20- to 25-year contract, the first such long-term energy deal since the mid-1980s.”
“Hydro-Quebec began construction last week on a 550-megawatt hydroelectric complex on La Romaine River in the province North Shore region. The project will help to boost Quebec’s profitable export of electricity to the United States and contribute to offering a stable supply of energy to the U.S. market, Mr. Béchard said yesterday.”
The full article is at http://www.theglobeandmail.com/news/national/ruling-paves-the-way-for-quebec-to-negotiate-power-deal-with-us/article1148087/
