The results of the referendum on the passage of a Hydro-Quebec line in Maine do not cool the government of François Legault, which considers that it still has all the cards in its game to achieve its electricity export objectives.
Although “disappointed with the result”, Quebec believes it has different avenues to ensure the success of its hydroelectric adventures. If it takes note of the opinion of the voters, who voted in the neighborhood of 60% to block the electricity projects in the northwest of the state, the government of François Legault believes to have ticked all the boxes necessary for the project progress.
“We got the authorizations, both the presidential authorizations, both those from the Department of Energy. The contractual commitment we have made, the investments we have made, more than 400 million… We intend to follow up on the project ”, signified the Minister of Energy and Natural Resources, Jonatan Julien, in melee release, Wednesday.
Quebec “analyzes” all its options, including “legal” avenues.
“It is certain that a referendum which acts retroactively, we find that particular. We think we are in the right place, ”added Mr. Julien.
In the morning, at the National Assembly, the spokesperson for the Liberal Party on natural resources, Pierre Arcand, deplored “sad news” for Quebec.
“Hydro-Quebec must prove to the Americans that it creates jobs for the Americans,” said the elected Montrealer. That is the challenge we have to face, and I believe that the government had a responsibility to succeed in this operation. Unfortunately the government did not succeed. “
Québec solidaire called on François Legault to welcome the results of the referendum. “We cannot say that our only plan to fight climate change is the export of hydroelectricity, and today’s decision is proof of that,” added the co-spokesperson for training, Gabriel Nadeau-Dubois.
In the morning, at COP26, François Legault maintained that his plan to supply the northeastern United States with electricity was far from falling apart. “We have a plan B,” he raised.
“The battery, well, maybe it will be less powerful,” agreed the parliamentary leader of the Parti Québécois, Joël Arseneau. He invites Quebec to find new customers for its surplus hydroelectricity.
Further details will follow.