Energy Rethink?

Received a press release from the Committees Branch of the Saskatchewan Legislature yesterday announcing that an all-party committee (official title: the Standing Committee on Crown and Central Agencies) will be conducting, and I quote, "an inquiry to determine how the province can best meet the growing demand for electricity in a manner that is safe, reliable, environmentally-sustainable and affordable for Saskatchewan residents." To that end, hearings are scheduled to be held in Regina Oct. 6-8 and Oct. 16 and 19; in Saskatoon Oct. 9, 13 and 14; and in LaRonge Oct. 15.

In a news release of its own, the NDP opposition criticized the government for the tight timeframe. "This is a process designed to deal with an extremely significant issue--the future of our energy needs in Saskatchewan--and it is very unfortunate that the Wall government has no interest in taking it seriously," says NDP MLA Trent Witherspoon.

Is the all-party committee just a whitewash to deflect criticism of the biased and deeply flawed Uranium Development Partnership process, or is it a legit attempt by the government to address concerns that were raised during public consultations into the UDP report, and which Dan Perrins will surely have noted in his report that is due to be submitted, last I heard anyway, on Sept. 14? Time will tell, I guess.

For more info, check the committee website at:
www.legassembly.sk.ca/committees/CrownCentralAgencies/crown_central_agenciesnew.htm