Mr. Speaker, first of all, the power, or electrical energy rate structure, is one that is decided by the Public Utilities Board. We are currently on a community-based rate structure. So those kinds of decisions would be made by the Public Utilities Board. Mr. Speaker, while electrical power does cost 85 cents, 89 cents, up to almost $3.00 in Colville Lake, that is the cost of producing it in that community. But, Mr. Speaker, I want to clarify, and make very clear, to the Members that we, as a government, subsidize the production of power through the Territorial Power Subsidy Program back to the Yellowknife rate in residential uses for the first 700 kilowatts. So we, as a government, are paying that. It's probably going to cost us in the neighbourhood of up to $10 million to subsidize everyone's power. Mr. Speaker, the kind of thing I'd like to see us do is, everybody can run their house on 700 kilowatts if they watch how they're using it. If you use fluorescent light bulbs instead of incandescent bulbs, a 15 watt bulb will have the same light as a 60 watt bulb. So there are ways that we think we can work with people to help them save costs. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.
Joe Handley on Question 194-15(4): Control Of Energy Resources
In the Legislative Assembly on October 20th, 2005. See this statement in context.
Further Return To Question 194-15(4): Control Of Energy Resources
Question 194-15(4): Control Of Energy Resources
Item 7: Oral Questions
October 19th, 2005
Page 432
See context to find out what was said next.