(Host) Governor Peter Shumlin will travel to Labrador this weekend to "begin the conversation" with Canadian officials about bringing large amounts of electricity generated by their massive hydro dams to the New England region in the coming years.
Shumlin says it’s clear that Canada is going to have a surplus hydro power in the future and he thinks it could be a good source of electricity for many New England states.
(Shumlin) "Quebec and Newfoundland and Labrador have extraordinary resources and we’re fortunate to have them to deliver us green, cheap reliable power and we want to make sure that we’re looking forward in the 21st century to ensure that we can grow jobs and economic opportunities by trying to get some of that power down to New England. As much of it as we can, as cheaply as we can."
(Host) Shumlin says it’s much too early in the process to determine if any new power lines would be needed in Vermont to help bring some of the Canadian power to southern New England.
(Shumlin) "The question we should be asking is, ‘what’s the smartest way to transmit power that the Canadians cannot use – because they’re building more power than they can use – what’s the smartest way to get that down to New England and at what price?’"
(Host) Rhode Island Governor Lincoln Chaffee will also be part of the delegation visiting Labrador this weekend.