Latest news with #NewfoundlandLabradorHydro
Yahoo
17-06-2025
- Climate
- Yahoo
Another fire is burning out of control near Churchill Falls, but no impact to community, says N.L. Hydro
A wildfire continues to burn near Churchill Falls, Labrador as the provincial government warns the surrounding area is at a high risk. According to the provincial wildfire dashboard, the fire broke out on Monday and has burned approximately one hectare. The province's fire hazard rating map, which was last updated on Monday, indicates the area around the hydroelectric plant in the community has a high and very high fire hazard rating. "As of this morning, there are no impacts on the community or operations," wrote company spokesperson Jill Pitcher in an email to CBC News. CBC News has asked the Department of Fisheries, Forestry and Agriculture for an update on Tuesday's firefighting efforts. On Monday, the department said the fire started near the ski hill area of the community and there was no immediate risk to health or safety. The statement also said Newfoundland and Labrador Hydro was fighting the fire from the air with helicopters, while another helicopter, water bomber and three firefighters were dispatched from Happy-Valley Goose Bay to assist. Last month, emergency crews responded to an out of control wildfire near the community that burned an estimated 170 hectares. These fires come approximately a year after a large wildfire forced thousands of people to flee the community, including power plant workers. At the time, it raised concerns about the community's vital hydroelectric power plant. Other areas of Labrador also have high fire hazard ratings, and the towns of Labrador City and Wabush have issued fire bans due to concerns over high winds. On the island, multiple fire bans are in place across the Avalon Peninsula, including St. John's, Mount Pearl, Conception Bay South and Portugal Cove-St Philip's. Download our free CBC News app to sign up for push alerts for CBC Newfoundland and Labrador. Sign up for our daily headlines newsletter here. Click here to visit our landing page.
CTV News
04-06-2025
- Business
- CTV News
Quebec, Newfoundland energy touts Canadian independence to Trump: Hydro‑Québec CEO
Chief executive of Hydro‑Québec Michael Sabia and Jennifer Williams, head of Newfoundland and Labrador Hydro are seen at an energy conference in St. John's, N.L. on Tuesday, June 3, 2025. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Sarah Smellie ST. JOHN'S — The chief executive of Hydro‑Québec says a sweeping new energy deal with Newfoundland and Labrador Hydro is a signal to the United States that Canada can get 'big things done.' Michael Sabia was in St. John's, N.L., Tuesday, where he pitched the draft deal as a turning point in Quebec's relationship with Newfoundland and Labrador, and a step toward Canada becoming an 'energy superpower.' 'Let's be clear: Canada is under threat,' Sabia told a room full of representatives from Newfoundland and Labrador's energy industry. 'This is a time of real economic and political uncertainty. It's a time when Canadians need to work together to build the future,' he said. 'Ultimately, that's what this deal is about. It's about building now to secure Canada's energy future.' Sabia was speaking to the crowd at a conference held by Energy N.L., Newfoundland and Labrador's energy industry association. He was joined on stage by Jennifer Williams, president and chief executive of Newfoundland and Labrador Hydro. The two discussed an agreement in principle announced last year that would end a contract signed in 1969 that allows Hydro‑Québec to buy the lion's share of the energy from the Churchill Falls hydroelectric plant at prices far below market value. The contract has long been a source of bitterness in Canada's easternmost province. The new arrangement would end the contentious deal 16 years early and see Hydro‑Québec pay for more power while developing new projects with Newfoundland and Labrador Hydro along the Churchill River. Newfoundland and Labrador would also get more power from Churchill Falls. The memorandum of understanding has its critics. The Opposition Progressive Conservatives have been uneasy with the draft deal, demanding the Liberal government have it independently reviewed. The party also called for a halt to ongoing negotiations of final contracts, saying a proposed national energy corridor could bring better opportunities. Some in Newfoundland and Labrador have also wondered if Hydro‑Québec can be trusted and whether the province will truly get enough value for its resources. 'Show me a deal where there hasn't ever been skeptics,' Williams challenged when asked about those who have criticisms. Sabia addressed the tangled history of the provinces several times, and said repeatedly that the new arrangement was 'balanced' and served the needs of both Newfoundland and Labrador and Quebec. Both sides made concessions, he said, adding that the deal contained items neither side wanted. He refused to elaborate on what those were. Sabia said the agreement is the 'single most important signal we can send to the United States right now,' as long as it goes ahead as planned. Williams agreed the proposed projects need to proceed smoothly and quickly, repeating 'rigour and speed are not incompatible.' Both said they were heartened by signs from Prime Minister Mark Carney that he would speed up project approvals. Williams touted the deal's promised economic benefits, which includes $17 billion in revenue to the provincial treasury by 2041. Newfoundland and Labrador expects to be carrying a net debt of $19.4 billion by the end of the current fiscal year. 'We have to take this opportunity now,' Williams told reporters after the event. 'If we don't, something this momentous may not come again for a very long time, and who will we have to blame? We have got to take this moment on.' Officials hope to have final agreements hammered out next year. In the meantime, preliminary topographic and soil studies are expected to begin in Labrador this summer, Sabia said. This report by The Canadian Press was first published June 3, 2025. The Canadian Press
CBC
29-05-2025
- Climate
- CBC
Emergency crews continue to fight wildfire east of Churchill Falls
Emergency crews continue to fight a wildfire burning near Churchill Falls Thursday morning. In an early morning update, the Royal Newfoundland Constabulary said that traffic is able to pass on the Trans-Labrador Highway, east of the community, after closing a stretch of the road Wednesday evening. The RNC says it will continue to monitor risk to public safety. Newfoundland and Labrador Hydro says the fire continues to move east, away from the town, and that fire teams are mobilizing again in the morning. There was a brief power outage in the community Wednesday evening, along with towns in Labrador West. Hydro says the reason was because it had to switch the town's power distribution to another feeder after a pole line was damaged and taken out of service. The company says power lines into Labrador City and Wabush remain in service and it will continue to monitor the situation closely. An update is expected later on Thursday. Churchill Falls resident Robert Dawe posted videos of the fire on Facebook as the situation worsened Wednesday night. On Thursday morning, Dawe told CBC News that helicopters and waterbombers are active. "I was feeling sick to my stomach. My knees were weak. I was anxious, but I I felt that I needed to capture [this] as safely as I could," he said.
