Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Good afternoon. Mr. Speaker, many Northerners remember the exciting days of the 1970s, and the oil and gas exploration boom in the Mackenzie Delta and Beaufort Sea. We witnessed the discovery of some of the largest reserves of hydrocarbon resources in the world.
Today, along with my colleague, the Honourable Floyd Roland, MLA for Inuvik, I take pleasure in saying that the NWT Power Corporation is one of the first commercial users of these resources. Tomorrow, the NWT Power Corporation will join with the Town of Inuvik and the Inuvialuit Petroleum Corporation and their partners, Alta Gas Services Incorporated, and Enbridge Incorporated, in ceremonies to mark the arrival of the first commercial gas deliveries from the Ikhil field. The ceremony will include the start up of two new natural gas driven generators.
Of special significance is the Power Corporation's role as the anchor customer for the system. The corporation's conversion from diesel fuel was the economic key to the project, and brings many benefits to Inuvik power customers.
Over the minimum 15 year life of the project, the new gas supply will replace some 70 barge loads of southern diesel fuel imports to Inuvik. This will save Inuvik power customers an estimated $20 to $25 million by, in part, decreasing the future need for infrastructure to generate electricity.
Greenhouse gas emissions will be cut by some 100,000 tonnes, or 32 percent by new gas driven engines that run cleaner, quieter and more efficiently than diesels. This improvement will help the Corporation, and the NWT, play our part in achieving Canada's commitment to reduce pollution as part of the 1996 Kyoto clean air accord.
As Inuvik Gas Limited develops the town's gas distribution system, businesses and homeowners will be also able to convert to the new energy source for heating and other uses.
This development holds great promise for similar projects in other NWT communities located near natural gas discoveries or pipelines.
Along with Mr. Roland, I invite this Assembly to join me in congratulating the Town of Inuvik, the Inuvialuit Petroleum Corporation and the NWT Power Corporation on their achievement and this exciting new era in northern energy development. Thank you.
--Applause