Province sets May 19 release for energy review report

The Newfoundland and Labrador government says it will release an independent review of a proposed long-term energy agreement later this month, following a technical and legal assessment of the document.

Premier Tony Wakeham confirmed the province received the report on April 30. The review examines a memorandum of understanding for a new long-term energy purchase and development initiative between Newfoundland and Labrador Hydro and Hydro-Québec.

The government says the report is undergoing a full review due to what it describes as “significant commercial sensitivity” in its contents. That process is still ongoing.

Officials say the report will be made public on May 19. Members of the independent review committee are expected to be in St. John’s that day to present their findings directly to the public.

The province says it will not comment further on the report until its release.

In a statement, Wakeham said the review deals with one of the most important public policy issues facing the province and stressed the need to properly assess sensitive information before publication.

“It is essential that commercially sensitive information is properly reviewed, and it is equally important that the public hear directly from the independent committee when the report is released,” he said.