Mr. Speaker, on December 4, 1992, the Member did request that we bring attention to this matter. It was argued at that time that the power plant in its present location was a safety hazard and that the pipeline between the plant and the POL tank farm is an inconvenience to hunters. Mr. Speaker, the corporation has identified a capacity shortfall in Hall Beach and is in the final stages of tendering for supply and construction. The municipality of Hall Beach is under the misunderstanding that the current building extension could operate as a new, relocated, stand-alone power plant. This is not the case. The materials that are proposed for the 1993-94 season are intended for expansion and reconditioning of the existing power plant. By the end of the fiscal year, the corporation will have committed in excess of $500,000 to the project. Materials and construction of the expansion are estimated at an additional $1.8 million in 1993 and 1994.
Mr. Speaker, in developing an argument for new plant construction and relocation, the corporation considers such issues as structural stability, the foundation integrity, generating capacity and operational safety.
In the case of the Hall Beach generating facility, the only legitimate shortfall was that of generating capacity and that was most effectively addressed in the context of plant reconditioning and expansion. The building extension is complete. The new engine is installed and is scheduled to be commissioned in December. The contractor will leave the community at that time and is planning to complete any deficiency in the new year. That's a long answer for the background on the issue, and the short answer is there is no consideration and argument for relocation at this time. Thank you.