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 For Immediate Release: November 14, 2002

SPEC seeks meeting with Nanaimo MLA Mike Hunter on Duke Point and Hydro privatization.

NANAIMO - SPEC has asked Nanaimo MLA Mike Hunter for a meeting to discuss Nanaimo City Council's September 11 letter to BC Energy Minister Neufeld calling for a BC Utilities Commission review of the Duke Point gas plant. SPEC also wants to determine Hunter's position on Liberal MLA Paul Nettleton's claim of a “secret agenda” by Cabinet to privatize BC Hydro.

“It has been eight months since Hydro asked to be exempted from the normal Utilities Commission process,” said Nanaimo SPEC campaigner Norman Abbey. “The September 11 request from Nanaimo Council is the latest call that any exemption for Duke Point from the regulatory process be denied. Neufeld has yet to answer that question, or release BC's report on energy policy, which he has had for months.”

Among several setbacks to the 265 MW Duke Point plant, was the sudden and unexplained pull-out of Calpine Canada, Ltd., the private partner which was to build the plant. Other setbacks include escalating costs and uncertainty about the GSX fuel supply - currently under review by the NEB, which will consider the impact of greenhouse gas emissions among other issues.

All Candidates in Nanaimo's civic election support the call for a BCUC review, a dramatic change from earlier support for the proposed mega plant at Duke Point.

“While civic leaders are debating this issues, we have yet to learn what our elected MLA Mike Hunter’s position is on Duke Point,” said Abbey. “And with talk of a hidden agenda to privatize BC Hydro, there is even more urgency to determine what Hunter’s views are on issues crucial to Nanaimo and the central Island region.”

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Information: Norman Abbey 250-754-2554, 250-756-7623

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