Manitoba needs only 1 new gas turbine, utility board says

The provincial energy regulator is advising Manitoba Hydro to install fewer gas turbines at a major facility in western Manitoba. The Brandon Generating Station project has been estimated at $3 billion and this would be a big change from what the utility initially proposed. CBC's Ian Fraser is at the RBC Convention Centre this evening, where the Premier is expected to speak in just a few moments. But Ian, you had a chance to ask the Premier about this earlier, so break down what we know about the Public Utility Board recommendation. Right, Brittany, the Premier is calling this good news, saying that rather than following what Manitoba Hydro wanted, which is spending $3 billion on three gas-powered turbines in Brandon, they'd rather follow perhaps what the Independent Public Utilities Board is recommending. Which is spending $1 billion on one gas turbine. Now, Manitoba Hydro had been arguing that it needs these extra power plants to meet growing energy demands. The PUB, the Public Utilities Board, held weeks of hearings to determine if the new power plants are needed. And now we have the board's decision. The Premier applauding the board's ruling. Hydro does very, very good work, but they are a monopoly and you need a regulator with independent expertise to keep a monopoly in check so that your rates stay affordable. And in situations like this one, so that the average person out there who doesn't know what to think about combustion turbines and 250 megawatts and stuff like that, you have some experts coming forward and saying, you know what, here's an affordable, environmentally friendly path forward. Now, the Premier isn't required to follow the board's recommendation, but he said that it's very likely that Manitoba will follow that recommendation. So, Ian, you're there tonight for the NDP's annual convention. The next election, obviously, top of mind. What do we know about the party's preparations? Yeah, Brittany, so the Premier is expected to speak behind me on that podium in just a few minutes, but he did speak to reporters beforehand and shared that he will be telling the audience here that the party has $3.5 million in its war chest. That's the most the Premier remembers the party having before any election. He was asked by a reporter... Do you need to spend this money when you have an opinion poll that suggests you are well ahead of the PCs in popularity? But Canoe says the NDP has to let Manitobans know what's at stake if they vote for the Progressive Conservatives. We've got to be able to turn people out to vote and let folks know that with more than... 4,700 more healthcare staff and all the steps we've taken on affordability, those things can go away if we don't continue our time working for you. Brittany, the election is scheduled for October of next year but could be called earlier. The party's annual convention will continue throughout the weekend. Federal NDP leader Avi Lewis will speak on Saturday morning and then on Saturday evening the party's big fundraising gala. The NDP says it's sold out with around 800 seats being sold.