The nineteen nineties

1990
51
the nineteen nineties and beyond
This year marks the 70th
to meet the growing
anniversary of NB Power.
Power will produce a
energy demands of the
There have been many
reliable supply of electric-
1990s and beyond.
changes in the utility over
ity at an acceptable price,
Construction of the 450
70 years and there have
that it will demonstrate a
megawatt Belledune
been just as many changes
constant concern for the
generating station is
in public expectations
environment, and that it
presently underway.
about NB Power’s role in
will encourage energy
Recently a major contract
providing a service vital
conservation.
valued at $120 million
to New Brunswickers.
NB Power has several
was awarded to purchase
Certain expectations,
major construction pro-
five large combustion
however, have remained
jects currently underway
turbines for installation at
fairly constant: the pub-
throughout the province.
Millbank and Ste Rose.
lic’s expectation that NB
These projects are
Several research and
important if the utility is
Belledune generating station
under construction, 1990
1990
52
the nineteen nineties and beyond
development and training
sions. It is committed to a
programs are ongoing in
generating electricity is
federal-provincial sulphur
the Saint John area.
matched by its innovation
dioxide emission reduc-
Though developing
in environmental protec-
tion program. Further-
new sources of electrical
tion. It has attempted to
more, at Belledune, NB
generation to meet the
address environmental
Power is installing a
growing demands of New
issues as they have
“scrubber” to reduce SO2
Brunswickers is impor-
emerged.The utility is
emissions.
tant, maintaining due
doing its part to reduce
concern for the environ-
emissions from its thermal tion and efficiency play an
ment is equally as impor-
generating stations. It has
important role in the
tant. NB Power’s tradition
installed environmental
environmental planning
of excellence in the
control systems to remove process, although often
technical aspects of
particulate and help
Both energy conserva-
they are not recognized.
regulate plant air emis-
Sharing our facilities - ospreys
nesting atop a hydro pole
1990
53
the nineteen nineties and beyond
Over the years, NB Power
in the workplace.The
has introduced a number
owners advice on how to
“Employment Equity”
of energy conservation
save energy.To date,
program strives to iden-
programs to help custom-
some 1,700 home visits
tify and correct inequities
ers improve energy
have been made through-
that exist in the work-
efficiency in their homes
out the province. As a
place. The gradual
and businesses. In the
result of programs fos-
progress that has been
spring of 1990 NB Power
tered or supported by NB
made in the trades by
launched the first of its
Power, nearly $50 million
women and minority
“Energy Wise” programs.
has already been invested
groups is balanced by the
The “Home Energy
within the province on
significant increases made
Check” provides free
energy conservation
in the professional groups
home energy audits by
measures.
over the past five years.
experienced Energy
Advisors who give home-
NB Power is also
The number of women
attempting to meet the
involved in personnel,
challenges of the 1990s
Planning supervisor, John Theriault
and his son John Abraham Theriault II
at the launching of the Woodhog I. The
boat keeps the Mactaquac headpond
clear of floating debris.
1990
54
the nineteen nineties and beyond
information systems,
difficult, were met by
accounting, public rela-
flexible hours, daycare,
employees dedicated to
tions, procurement and
paternity leave and health
the belief that their job
real estate has grown by
and benefit programs that
was important if the
35%.The “Employment
respond to the needs of
benefits of electricity
Equity” program at
employees.
were to be supplied to
NB Power will enter a
Every decade since
all parts of the province.
significant phase with the
the 1920s has offered a
Although the challenges
beginning of a process
different set of challenges
may be more compli-
that will result in pay
for NB Power, but the
cated today than in the
equity or equal pay for
goal of providing a safe
early years, the em-
work of equal value.
reliable supply of electric-
ployee commitment to
Other challenges in the
ity for New Brunswick
customer service re-
work-place include
has remained the same.
mains constant.
Past challenges, however
Heather Gomez, “Pay Equity”
program co-ordinator
time line
55
NB Power generating plants
Plant
Plant
type
Saint John (Dock Street)
Year of
first service
Original
Owner
Year acquired
by NB Power
Year
retired
Thermal (coal)
ca.1893
Consolidated Electric
1948
1976
Milltown
Hydro
1911
Canadian Cottons Ltd.
1958
n/a
Kouchibouguac
Hydro
1917
Richibucto & Rexton Power Company
1939
1953
Musquash
Hydro
1922
NB Power
n/a
n/a
Grand Falls
Hydro
1928
St. John River Power Co.
1959
n/a
Grand Manan
Diesel
1929
Grand Manan Light & Power Company
1939
n/a
Grand Lake I
Thermal (coal)
1931
NB Power
n/a
1967-76
Saint-Quentin
Diesel
1940
NB Power
n/a
1957*
Saint Stephen
Diesel
1946
Maritime Electric Co. Ltd.
1947
1952*
Andover
Diesel
1948
NB Power
n/a
1951*
Campobello
Diesel
1948
NB Power
n/a
1951
Chatham
Thermal (coal/oil)
1948
NB Power
n/a
n/a
Shippagan
Diesel
1948
NB Power
n/a
1951*
Grand LakeII
Thermal (coal)
1952
NB Power
n/a
n/a
Tobique
Hydro
1953
NB Power
n/a
n/a
Beechwood
Hydro
1957
NB Power
n/a
n/a
Courtenay Bay
Thermal (oil)
1961
NB Power
n/a
n/a
Sisson
Hydro
1965
NB Power
n/a
n/a
Mactaquac
Hydro
1968
NB Power
n/a
n/a
Dalhousie
Thermal (coal/oil)
1969
NB Power
n/a
n/a
Moncton
Combustion turbine
1971
NB Power
n/a
n/a
Coleson Cove
Thermal (oil)
1976
NB Power
n/a
n/a
Point Lepreau
Thermal (nuclear)
1983
NB Power
n/a
n/a
Grand Manan
Combustion turbine
1989
NB Power
n/a
n/a
* Removed from regular service-remained on standby for varying periods
56
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