FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE                                                                                                        April 20, 2023

WHITEHORSE – The Yukon Party Official Opposition is calling for the Yukon Government to direct the Yukon Utilities Board (YUB) to review the Liberal energy plan that locks in long-term reliance on rental diesel generators. The independent YUB is responsible for protecting Yukoners from inappropriate costs on their electricity bills and said last year that it was not satisfied renting diesels was a way to make up the territory’s energy shortfall.

This week, the Liberal Minister of Energy, Mines and Resources revealed the Yukon would require diesel generators forever. A review would look at the overall cost of renting diesels, as well as the effect on Yukoners’ electricity bills.

The Minister confirmed the Premier’s energy plan now requires renting an additional five diesel generators for the winter of 2023, bringing the territorial Liberal fleet of rented diesels to 22 in total. He also revealed these five new diesels would be placed in Mayo.

The Minister also shared the Atlin Hydro project is effectively done without a new funder stepping forward with $80 million in grants. The Liberals’ energy strategy depends on that hydro project to add roughly eight megawatts of winter power and displace four rented diesels.

The Premier’s 10-year energy strategy is falling apart around the Liberal government and the Minister admits they will be reviewing the Liberal energy plan this summer, only two years in. He indicated that all projects are over budget or behind schedule and will not meet the projected growth of demand, including the demand side management project, Atlin Hydro, the Moon Lake project, and the grid-scale battery project in Whitehorse.

“The Liberal government has no plan B when it comes to the Yukon’s energy future,” said Leader Currie Dixon. “The Yukon’s power grid needs permanent solutions to make up our energy shortfall so Yukoners are not left in the dark in December. Yukoners should own our energy assets, and not keep shipping money south as a solution to our energy shortfall.”

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Contact:
Tim Kucharuk
Press Secretary
(867) 393-7026