Nova Scotia regulator to release decision on Muskrat Falls project Monday

BUSINESS

Nova Scotia regulator to release decision on Muskrat Falls project Monday

THE CANADIAN PRESS Published Friday, July 19, 2013 4:47PM EDT

Hydro Quebec power lines are shown on Oct. 29, 2009 in Levis Que. A study conducted for the Nova Scotia government says buying electricity from the proposed Muskrat Falls hydroelectric project would be $402 million cheaper than importing it from Quebec. (Jacques Boissinot / THE CANADIAN PRESS)

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HALIFAX -- The Nova Scotia Utility and Review Board will release its decision on the Muskrat Falls hydroelectric project on Monday.

The regulatory body is tasked with evaluating the proposal by utility company Emera (TSX:EMA) to build a subsea cable -- known as the Maritime Link -- that would ship power generated in Labrador to Nova Scotia.

The board has been asked to decide whether building the 170-kilometre cable represents the cheapest long-term alternative for the province's electricity users and whether the $1.5-billion project meets requirements governing the release of greenhouse gases and air pollutants.

If the development goes ahead, it is estimated it would provide about 10 per cent of Nova Scotia's power needs.

The board held hearings on the project this spring.