Nova Scotia’s incoming premier won’t support Muskrat Falls unless rates drop

HALIFAX – Nova Scotia’s incoming premier says his Liberal government will not support the Muskrat Falls hydroelectric project in Labrador unless the price of power is cheaper for customers in his province.

One day after winning a commanding majority government, Stephen McNeil said that’s the message he will deliver to Premier Kathy Dunderdale of Newfoundland and Labrador.

McNeil says he agrees with a decision by Nova Scotia’s Utility and Review Board that his province needs access to more of the power from the development at a cheaper price.

Darrell Dexter, the former NDP premier of Nova Scotia, was a proponent of the $7.7-billion project, which would ship power from Labrador to Newfoundland and Cape Breton through subsea links.

McNeil’s Liberals won 33 seats in the 51-seat legislature, while the New Democrats were relegated to third-party status with seven seats.

The Progressive Conservatives become the Opposition with 11 members elected.