Yet another warning was issued last week by the province’s Public Utilities Board (PUB) about the proposed Bi-Pole III Hydro transmission line the NDP government is forcing down the west side of the province.
The PUB recommended another independent review of the project after warning that the debt level of Manitoba Hydro for new capital projects might cause rate shock for Manitobans in the way of higher electricity rates. Over the next decade, Hydro expects to spend upwards of $20 billion on capital projects and the PUB suggests these need to be reviewed, particularly in the light of weakening U.S. demand for electrical power as a result of the sluggish economy.
Premier Greg Selinger would be wise to listen to the warning of the PUB and to stop interfering politically with the decisions of Manitoba Hydro. Ultimately, all Manitobans are left to guarantee the debt of Hydro and to pay higher utility rates for mistakes that are made today and that may be irreversible tomorrow.
