Muskrat Falls inquiry details released
Final report due by Dec. 31, 2019
The Government of Newfoundland and Labrador is moving ahead with an inquiry, investigating the Muskrat Falls hydroelectric power project. Th e inquiry will address billions in cost overruns and blown timelines, but also the original decision to build the hydro facility.
The commissioner will be Supreme Court Justice Richard LeBlanc who has already been selected and is in the process of addressing existing commitments, to free himself for the inquiry.
He will be responsible for the inquiry over the next two years. A final report will be due to government by Dec. 31, 2019. A budget has yet to be determined, as legislation dictates the minister consult with LeBlanc before budget decisions are made.
The inquiry will not be allowed, regardless of conclu- sions, to make any findings of civil or criminal liability.
Th e inquiry report is expected to address facts around: the decision to sanction, why cost and timeline estimates have been exceeded, exemption of the project from Public Utilities Board oversight, whether or not government has remained fully informed of risks and problems arising and whether or not appropriate measures were employed for project oversight. Th e commissioner will have co- counsel, yet to be named, and is able to seek outside technical expertise. Environmental concerns, including concerns relating to methylmercury, have not been specifically included in the terms of reference.
Th e project is reportedly 86 per cent complete as of the end of September.
Full power is not expected until 2020, about two years behind schedule.