Partners look to powerful future – by Kyle Gennings (Timmins Daily Press – August 6, 2013)

The Daily Press is the city of Timmins broadsheet newspaper.

COCHRANE – Tuesday marked a turning point for the Taykwa Tagamou Nation (TTN). The Cochrane-based First Nation signed an agreement with Ontario Power Generation (OPG) with full blessing from Liberal Minister of Energy Bob Chiarelli.

Through its corporation Coral Rapids Power, TTN entered into a partnership with OPG to develop a generating station capable of producing about 25 megawatts of hydroelectric power on New Post Creek as it enters the Abitibi River.

“Here as we announce this facility at New Post Creek and as we make our way to the Lower Mattagami Project, we are reminded of the very important role that Ontario’s First Nations and Metis community play in Ontario’s energy system,” said Chiarelli. “In transmission, in generation and in hydroelectric, and so it is truly exciting to be here today and celebrate this exciting new partnership between Ontario Power Generation and Coral Rapids Power.”

Chiarelli said this is the first of many steps towards creating a network of clean energy creation which will benefit Ontarians for decades to come.

“The new Post Creek Hydroelectric Project is another major step towards building a cleaner energy system in Ontario and building a new economy for the North,” he said. “New jobs, cleaner air, healthier communities and a growing economy. These are the building blocks for a stronger and more prosperous Northern Ontario.

“All together, Ontario has nearly 8,200 megawatts of installed water power capacity. That is enough to power the Greater Toronto Area or 50 cities the size of Sudbury.

“Power generated by hydroelectric dams accounts for 20% of the Provinces electricity and the Northeast already plays a strong part in that with OPG operating 13 generating stations in Northeastern Ontario alone, generating over 1,000 megawatts of clean, renewable hydroelectric power.”

Make that 1,025 megawatts and thanks to a $2.6-billion investment in the region, that output will increase.

With construction of the new facility expected to begin next year, it means a new page in TTN’s rich history.

“This means that the future of our young people and the people who haven’t even been born yet will see all of the benefits from it,” said TTN Councillor Bruce Archibald.

“This means jobs, it means prosperity and it means a future that isn’t dependent on what we take from this Earth, but how we work with it to a mutual benefit.”

TTN is composed of 100 members living in the community and 359 members scattered throughout the area. Archibald is confident this partnership will ensure everyone benefits from the project.

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