Nova Scotia premier not fazed by Muskrat Falls opposition from consumer groups

HALIFAX – Nova Scotia’s premier says across-the-board opposition from consumer groups during regulatory hearings in Halifax into the Muskrat Falls project doesn’t faze him.

Darrell Dexter says it’s to be expected that the province’s consumer advocate, small business advocate and an alliance of industrial users would raise concerns about a proposal to build a subsea cable that would ship hydroelectricity to Nova Scotia from Newfoundland.

Nova Scotia utility company Emera (TSX:EMA) has proposed to have customers pay for the $1.5-billion Maritime Link in return for a guaranteed supply of about 20 per cent of the development’s energy production.

Opponents have argued over the past two weeks that the initial block of power will be expensive and there are no guarantees that Nova Scotians will be able to purchase electricity beyond this amount.

Dexter says despite the concerns that have been heard before the Utility and Review Board, he still believes the deal is a good one.