Upstream of negotiations to conclude an electricity contract with Hydro-Quebec, the mayor’s office of New York sent three experts to Quebec. Since last week, they have been crisscrossing the north of the province and consulting with Aboriginal representatives.
Posted on July 24, 2019 at 5:00 a.m.
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Joined yesterday by Press in New York, Mark Chambers, head of the sustainable development office at New York City Hall, explained that the mayor, Bill de Blasio, is keen to obtain an agreement with Hydro-Quebec to supply hydroelectricity to the operations of the City of New York. However, before launching formal negotiations, the mayor’s office wants to understand the overall repercussions of a possible agreement, in terms of both human rights and the environment.
“We don’t know what impact an agreement might have on First Nations and Inuit. That is why we consult them directly. We cannot rely only on what Hydro-Québec tells us, ”Chambers told us. Press.
Climate and human rights
“New York is the biggest city in the United States. What we do will be imitated elsewhere then, he continues. In this sense, our approach and our decisions must reflect our values. We firmly believe that fighting climate change and fighting social inequalities go hand in hand. One fight does not go without the other, ”says Chambers, adding that the site visits and discussions that take place with various Inuit and First Nations leaders are“ crucial to understanding the context ”in which a possible agreement would be. negotiated.
The New York delegation, currently on the North Shore, is made up of Michael Shaikh, deputy director for strategic initiatives at the city’s sustainable development office and expert in human rights, and Suzanne DesRoches, deputy director of the energy and infrastructure in the same office, as well as Anthony Fiore, chief energy management officer for New York City administration.
Enthusiasm in the communities visited
Joined yesterday, two of the indigenous leaders who took part in discussions with the New York delegation over the past week underlined the originality of the approach.
In the 1980s, contracts were signed between Hydro-Québec and potential customers, and the construction of power plants began without the affected populations being consulted. We are faced with a whole new approach and we welcome it.
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Bill Namagoose, Director General of the Cree Nation Government and of the Grand Council of the Crees
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“New York City is talking with people who may experience repercussions before negotiations begin. Before, Hydro-Quebec was holding talks with us, but the customer, the real user of electricity, was not in the picture. This is truly a first, ”notes Mr. Namagoose, recalling that nearly half of Quebec’s hydroelectricity is produced in Cree territory. During their visit to James Bay, New York representatives were able to visit the Grande Rivière hydroelectric complex.
Head of the Innu community of Ekuanitshit, whose territory hosts the Romaine complex, Jean-Charles Piétacho is delighted that the three experts made the trip to his community, located 200 km east of Sept-Îles . “We were honored to have the opportunity to interact with them. In the past, in similar situations, we were the ones who traveled to the United States to talk about our concerns. People did not come to us. We took them on a tour of the four dams of the Romaine, they met elders of the community as well as young people who grow medicinal herbs. They were inspiring encounters, ”he says.
PHOTO RYAN REMIORZ, ARCHIVES THE CANADIAN PRESS
Jean-Charles Piétacho, leader of the Innu community of Ekuanitshit
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Chief Piétacho, who has negotiated an agreement with Hydro-Québec in the past, was surprised by the composition of the delegation. “It’s innovative to see a human rights expert get involved in talks surrounding a hydropower deal,” he said.
According to the two chiefs interviewed, representatives in New York have listened to their concerns. “For the moment, Hydro-Quebec says that no new dam will be necessary for the agreement with New York, that they will use their surplus. But if in the future, to meet the increased demand, we had to build new dams, there we would have things to say, ”said Mr. Piétacho.
New York delegates have met with other Indigenous and Inuit communities, and plan to continue consultations after their return to the Big Apple. “We are in the pre-negotiation investigation phase. We are also having discussions with Hydro-Quebec, the Government of Quebec and the State of New York, noted Mark Chambers. We want an agreement because we believe that hydroelectricity is part of our energy future. “
Chambers says last week’s announcement that New York State will develop two major offshore wind projects has no bearing on the deal being pursued with Hydro- Quebec. “In order to meet our carbon reduction targets, we need many forms of renewable energy,” says the director of the office for sustainable development.
A priority of the mayor
PHOTO SHANNON STAPLETON, REUTERS
Bill de Blasio, Mayor of New York
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Before embarking on the race to become the Democratic candidate for the 2020 presidential election, Bill de Blasio launched a major environmental project in April to reduce New York’s greenhouse gas emissions by 40% d ‘by 2030. He intends to achieve his goals, in particular by purchasing hydroelectricity north of the border. The mayor wants to come to an agreement before the end of 2020 and would like Quebec energy to run through the energy veins of the American metropolis before 2025. Currently, nearly 5% of New York’s hydroelectricity comes from Quebec. The agreement that Quebec hopes to negotiate would double this energy contribution and could represent more than 10 billion in sales for Hydro-Quebec.
Bill de Blasio’s commitment
“New York City, working with partners, will move forward to power 100% of the City’s operations with carbon-free energy by building a new connection linking New York City to hydropower. Canadian zero-emission. Negotiations will begin immediately, with the goal of reaching an agreement before the end of 2020 and supplying the City’s operations with renewable energy only in less than five years. This action is the equivalent of converting the entire state of Vermont to clean energy. ”
– From New York Mayor Bill de Blasio’s Climate Change Project
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