Yukon Energy Corporation witnesses returned to the legislature on a rare Wednesday-morning session to discuss their $500-million plan over five years, following an electrical failure that turned the chambers dark, effectively cutting off their previous in-person appearance in the Yukon Legislative Assembly.
What stood out to Yukon Party energy critic Scott Kent following the questioning on April 23 involved two proposed thermal power centres, or diesels, for the Whitehorse area: one in the north and one in the south.
During an interview at the Yukon Party office, Kent told the News he supports the projects in theory, but questions remain for him around where they will go and who will pay.
He left the chambers with added uncertainty about where the centres would be located.
He suggested his constituents are facing a similar future regarding “noise and air pollution” that’s the reality for at least one Riverdale resident.
“One of the residents on Bell Crescent reached out to us and said it's very similar to having a lawnmower run 24/7, essentially,” he said.
“For my constituents in Copperbelt South, that's a big concern for them on where this plant could end up. And then for people in Whitehorse North, there was no locations given, as well.”
He said he didn’t get an answer about where all the money would come from.
“At this point, it could all end up on the ratepayer,” he said.
Lane Tredger, the Yukon NDP energy critic, told the News by phone that they were disappointed that while some projects will be finished — like the Watson Lake solar project and a battery project and upgrades to the Mayo hydro facility — no new renewable energy projects are planned to begin between now and 2030.
“That is a huge problem for our territory’s renewable energy and climate target goals,” they said.
“The Liberals’ plan to reduce our greenhouse gas emissions is really dependent on having new renewable energy sources, and with this plan, Yukon Energy won't be building them before 2030. They're not going to let anyone else do it. And I'm really disappointed.”
However, the energy corporation hasn’t left out the possibility of other people building renewables that are off the grid, per Tredger.
“I'm talking about renewables that are part of the electricity grid, that are connected to the power that most Yukoners are using.”
On April 25, the Yukon Legislative Assembly also sits on a rare Friday morning to make up for lost time due to the power failure.
The legislative assembly typically sits Monday through Thursday from 1 p.m. to 5:30 p.m. while the legislature is in session during the spring and fall.
Contact Dana Hatherly at dana.hatherly@yukon-new.com
