Minto coal jobs granted reprieve

Community leaders in Minto are relieved NB Power has delayed the shutdown of NB Coal and its Grand Lake power plant, preserving approximately 100 jobs in the economically depressed area.

Grand Lake Liberal MLA Eugene McGinley says the century-old industry is keeping the town of Minto and surrounding areas alive. "It was a matter of people pulling together and hoping against hope and saying, just, `Don't let this industry, those two industries, die prematurely.'"

Environmentalists are disappointed that NB Power has put off plans to shut down NB Coal and its Grand Lake power plant.

David Coon of the Conservation Council of New Brunswick says something has to stop NB Power from using the poor quality coal at Grand Lake.

"The Department of Environment has got to crack down on this. The minister has got to put her foot down and say it's time, if you're going to continue to operate that plant, you've got to burn a far better grade of coal."

Minto's coal mining history goes back centuries, and it was all supposed to end this year or next, when NB Power had planned to close its Grand Lake power plant and the coal mine that feeds it.

But rising oil prices and the failed deal to obtain Orimulsion fuel from Venezuela mean Minto coal is now an attractive option for creating energy for New Brunswick.

From July 21, 2004:Minto coal jobs saved for another day

NB Power officials say it makes financial sense to keep the the Grand Lake plant operating.

Daryl Bishop is NB Power's vice-president of generation, and says the plant could stay open until 2010, unless fuel prices drop substantially. "We are suggesting that the plant could run as long as the next five years, being economic, so long as we don't encounter any extreme maintenance costs and as long as we don't find some very low-priced fuel. As you know, Orimulsion was the key to us looking at Grand Lake as being uneconomic."

That's welcome news for Minto Mayor Gary DiPaulo, because his town will hold on to about 100 of its best-paying jobs. "It gives the men some optimism and it give the community some optimism that the operation can continue for four or five more years."