The Northwest Energy Association met Friday to discuss plans to amalgamate management for Northwestern Ontario utilities–and discuss plans in preparation for a competitive market.
“We’re going to have to prove ourselves when competition shows up so we’re getting prepared,” said Larry Hebert, an NEA member from Thunder Bay.
The NEA is a co-operative of 11 Public Utilities Commissions across Northwestern Ontario working together to adapt to the recent provincial legislation–Bill-35.
At Friday’s meeting, members discussed the possibility of amalgamating management for the 11 PUCs in Thunder Bay.
“We’re hoping to be almost like a regional wire company,” said Hebert, adding a number of major projects were discussed.
“We were talking about some work we’re doing down the road. Getting broadband communication in the area, bringing in overhead or underground fibre wires for the 807 northwest network for Telecom, and faster communication,” he noted.
They also discussed concentrating management of the NEA in Thunder Bay because the city already has the people and facilities to handle the job.
The NEA, formed as an agregate to build a strong company that municipalities and consumers will rely on a few years down the road, discussed plans to be involved in retail as well as services.
Fort Frances Times
Local News from Across the Rainy River District
