Public invited to comment on additional information for environmental review
of proposed Lower Churchill Hydroelectric Generation Project

OTTAWA , Nov. 18 /CNW Telbec/ - The Joint Panel reviewing the proposed Lower Churchill Hydroelectric Generation Project invites the public to comment on the additional information provided by the proponent, Nalcor Energy. Considering the information received, the Joint Panel has decided to conduct a 30-day comment period on the supplemental information, as permitted within its terms of reference.

The information was provided in response to questions sent to the proponent by the Panel on May 1 , June 22 and July 24, 2009 . The questions were issued following the Panel's review of the Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) made public in March 2009 and the comments submitted by interested parties after their review of the EIS.

Aboriginal groups, the public and governments are now invited to review the additional information and provide comments to the Panel. The Panel must receive all comments on the additional information by December 18, 2009 . Comments may be provided either in writing or verbally by submitting quality recordings. All comments will be made public through the federal online registry. Forward written or recorded comments in the official language of your choice by mail, e-mail or fax to the attention of:

    
    Maryse Pineau, Panel Co-Manager       Tom Graham, Panel Co-Manager
    Lower Churchill Joint Review Panel    Lower Churchill Joint Review Panel
    Secretariat                           Secretariat
    160 Elgin Street, Ottawa ON           33 Pippy Place, St. John's NL
    K1A 0H3                               A1B 4J6
    Tel.: [phone]     Tel.: [phone]
    Fax: [phone]                     Fax: [phone]
    [email protected]   [email protected]
    

This 30-day comment period gives Aboriginal groups, the public and governments, an opportunity to submit their views in writing to the Panel on the adequacy of the additional information as measured against the EIS Guidelines and on the technical merit of the information presented. Opportunities to present overall views on the project will be provided at the future public hearing.

After reviewing the additional information and comments received, the Panel will determine whether it has sufficient information to proceed to the public hearing. A public notice will be issued and interested parties notified at least 45 days prior to the commencement of the hearing.

The additional information, along with the EIS, is available on the Canadian Environmental Assessment Registry at www.ceaa.gc.ca, registry number 07-05-26178.

Nalcor Energy proposes to construct two hydroelectric generating stations with a total capacity of just over 3000 megawatts (MW) on the Lower Churchill River, together with transmission lines to connect the two generation sites to the existing Upper Churchill Project. The proposed generation stations would be located at Gull Island (2,250 MW) and Muskrat Falls (824 MW).

The Joint Review Panel for the proposed Lower Churchill Hydroelectric Generation Project is an independent body, mandated by the Governments of Canada and Newfoundland and Labrador, to assess the environmental effects of the proposed project. The Panel was appointed in January 2009 and its terms of reference provide details as to how the review is to be conducted and the specified timeframe.

For further information: Media may contact: Lucille Jamault, Manager, Communications, [phone]