Moving Bipole III route still on the table, says premier

Premier Brian Pallister says he's open to moving Manitoba Hydro's $4.5billion Bipole III transmission line from the western side of the province to the eastern side, even though the Crown corporation has already spent $1.8 billion on it.

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The former NDP government came under fire for its decision to route the line along the west side of Manitobaat a cost much higher than an east side line in 2011 the additional cost was estimated to be $1 billion.

Pallister said the NDP's decision to build along the western route was "deeply misguided" and will cost Manitobans higher hydro rates for "decades."The eastern route is about 50 per cent shorter but runs through parts of Manitoba's boreal forest.

"Unfortunately we've inherited a colossal mess," Pallister said.

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Pallister said even though he hasnumbers that wereprovidedlast year, there's still a chance it could be economically viable to move the line back to the original east side route. In the end, he said, hewill listen to recommendations from theManitoba Hydro board.

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"It's up to the Hydro board to take a look at that and then we'll hear what they have to say," Pallister said.

"We have to keep our options open. We have to be sure we're doing the right things for Manitobans."

One of the major opposition groups to the Bipole III in eastern Manitoba wasPoplar River First Nation the community said it wants topreserve itsboreal forest.The area is also being considered next month by UNESCO for designation as a world heritage site.

"We'll always try to work in consultation with First Nations," Pallistersaid.

"I've heard mixed reports about which First Nations leaders and which communities want a Bipole line and may not ... those are dialogue challenges that have to be undertaken."

The western route has facedopposition from farmers whose land was expropriated for the Manitoba Hydro project.

Now in opposition, the New Democrats said Wednesday that Pallister would be in for lengthy court battles and other strife if he tries to have the line built on the east side.

"He is ready to violate the land-use planning agreements with the five First Nations on the east side of Lake Winnipeg," NDP conservation critic RobAltemeyersaid.

"His government is demonstrating an appalling lackof understanding and consideration of the rights of First Nations communities."

When asked when the Manitoba Hydro board is expected to come out with their recommendations regarding the future of the Bipole III project, Pallister said he does not want to set a deadline but expects it to be a matter of months not years.

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