For Immediate Release May 8, 2007 |
Contact: Timothy Rose,
Media Relations Director Fresh
Energy Applauds Monitoring & Reporting Mechanism for Manitoba Hydro Electricity in 2007 Environment & Energy
Omnibus Bill (SF 2096) Saint Paul, MN – The strongest monitoring and reporting requirement to date for Manitoba Hydro’s imported electricity was signed by Governor Tim Pawlenty (Senate File 2096) The provision included in the Environment & Energy Omnibus Bill states: The Legislative Electric Energy Task Force by January 1, 2008, and each year thereafter, the task force will request from the Manitoba Hydro Electric Board to provide the following information for each community that is a signatory of the Northern Flood Agreement, including South Indian Lake. “Minnesotans have a right and a responsibility to know what they are buying,” said Pimicikamak Chief John Miswagon. “This law demonstrates that responsibility. I am pleased that Minnesota legislators care about what is happening on the Northern end of the transmission line.” Minnesota House and Senate adopted the measure earlier this month, a demonstration that legislators across the spectrum understand the importance of monitoring and reporting the environmental and economic impacted related to the large-scale hydro electricity production in Manitoba. Manitoba Hydro has become an increasingly controversial electricity import for Minnesota utilities. Manitoba Hydro’s dam system has had a significant impact on commercial fishing and trapping industries and thus the financial conditions of families in these communities. The dams have flooded vast areas of forest and negatively impacting economic, environmental, and social conditions in the impacted communities. There have been a number of outstanding claims flied against Manitoba Hydro by individuals and communities, as well as a number of claims settled by Manitoba Hydro. In addition, concerns have been raised about the amount of shoreline damaged by flooding and erosion, and the amount of shoreline needing to be restored and cleaned. . In 2003, the United Nations Special Advisor on Human Rights Rudolfo Stavenhagen toured a Northern Manitoba community and, after visiting one small home housing 15 people, he said, “I didn’t expect to see that in Canada.” He reported his findings to the U.N. Commission on Human Rights, and after ranking Canada’s “living conditions” first in the world for ten years, the Commission dropped the country to eighth. A documentary Green Green Water was released earlier this year telling the story of the Indigenous people impacted by the production of this electricity by Manitoba Hydro. Fresh Energy’s Senior Policy Associate Ken Bradley said, “This is a significant step in the right direction towards greater transparency of the problems and the solutions being implemented by the Manitoba Hydro. Xcel Energy, Manitoba Hydro and the Governors office deserve credit for coming to this agreement with legislative leaders.” - end - . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Fresh Energy is a nonprofit organization leading the transition to a clean energy system. One that supports the health of our economies, our people, and our environment while moving us toward energy independence. www.fresh-energy.org |