Group says Muskrat Falls deal with N.S. too uncertain

A group of lawyers opposed to the Muskrat Falls hydroelectric project says a decision by Nova Scotia's utility and review board this week should force work at the site to stop.

The 2041 Group said the decision from Nova Scotia creates too much uncertainty and they're worried Emera, the parent company for Nova Scotia Power,could back out of the deal.

The group gathered once again on Friday to warn that Nalcor is making a big mistake going forward.

They want Emera to find cheaper source to supplement the Nova Scotia's electricity needsto bring down the cost of power brought in from Labrador.

Dennis Browne said he is concerned that Emera won't find that and will have to back out of the agreement.

"The Newfoundland government should not allow Nalcor to continue to spend $1 million a day of taxpayers' money on a project where Emera may very well walk away," Browne said.

"2041 calls for an immediate halt in spending on the Muskrat Falls project."

The group is also calling for a full independent review to be completed.

Nalcor has always maintained that the mega-project works even without the Maritime Link, the subsea cable that will deliver hydroelectric power from Cape Ray in Newfoundland to an area near Point Aconi in Cape Breton.

• SPECIAL REPORT | Maritime Link

This week, the utility said it would be willing to sell more power to Nova Scotia as long as power is still available for industrial development in Newfoundland and Labrador.

Bern Coffey said there should be either a commitment or no deal at all.

"We are against Nalcor committing, irrevocably, that 40 per cent of the Muskrat Falls power the equivalent of 40 per cent of the Muskrat Falls power for the next 45 years at the prices suggested," Coffey said.

Those prices would be significantly lower than the prices rate payers in Newfoundland and Labrador would pay for Muskrat Falls power.

Emera could go to Hydro Quebec or buy power from the United States, which would allow the Maritime Link to go ahead without Nalcor having to supplyextra power from Muskrat Falls.