News Release

FREDERICTON (CNB) – Following is the text of a letter written today by Energy Minister Jack Keir to federal Natural Resources Minister Christian Paradis:

The Hon. Christian Paradis, P.C., M.P.,
Minister of Natural Resources Canada
580 Booth Street,
Ottawa, ON  K1A 0E4

Dear Minister Paradis:

I am writing to you asking that you confirm or deny rumours of further delays on the Point Lepreau Generating Station refurbishment project.

In August and September 2009, similar rumoured delays became commonly known and discussed in the Saint John community.  But, it was not until a meeting on September 15, 2009, that Atomic Energy of Canada Ltd. (AECL) formally acknowledged that there were quantifiable delays and put a specific timeline to them.

AECL has contractual responsibility for completing phase two of the refurbishment project.  It is unacceptable and dysfunctional that information continues to reach NB Power and its shareholder (the New Brunswick government) through rumours and gossip.  I am calling the federal government as AECL’s shareholder to immediately cause AECL to provide a clear and updated timeline to the people of New Brunswick.  New Brunswick ratepayers deserve to know how much longer AECL’s delays will extend this first-of-a-kind refurbishment project.

In order for this refurbishment to be a success, AECL must be open and transparent about the challenges facing their phase of the project.  We cannot continue to learn of these delays through the rumour mill.  AECL, as the lead contractor on this project, has an obligation to formally and officially advise New Brunswickers what the current timelines are.

It is my hope that you will live up to this obligation and immediately direct your board and senior management team at AECL to be open and transparent and update the public on the project and its current status.

Sincerely,

Jack Keir,
Minister of Energy

c.c.: Mr. Hugh MacDiarmid, President & CEO, Atomic Energy of Canada Ltd.
Mr. Gaetan Thomas, President & CEO, NB Power