Churchill talks with Innu back on, Hydro CEO says

Newfoundland and Labrador Hydro has revived talks with a key aboriginal group toward developing the Lower Churchill hydroelectric project, says the company's CEO.

Ed Martin said negotiations have picked up again with the Innu Nation on reaching an impact benefits agreement.

Those talks were put on hold in August, following the sudden death of Innu Nation president Ben Michel.

Martin said Wednesday that several meetings have taken place since Daniel Ashini was elected Innu Nation president in September.

"We're back at the table, discussing things," Martin said.

Before his death, Michel had agreed in principle to an offer of a five per cent ownership stake in the megaproject, which would harness power on the lower Churchill River.

"They've indicated they're quite interested in that," Martin told reporters.

"But rightly so, they've said to us, We need to understand the project and the numbers and how this thing is going to be configured and how it's going to be constructed before we make our decision."

The Newfoundland and Labrador government decided in May to pursue development of the Lower Churchill project which has been describedas one of North America's greatest undeveloped sources of hydro power on its own, after turning down offers that included a joint bid involving the Ontario government and Hydro-Qubec.

The Lower Churchill project could generate more than 2,800 megawatts of power, or enough energy to supply about 1.5 million households.

Martin said Newfoundland and Labrador Hydro is continuing talks with Hydro-Qubec about wheeling power from the project across Quebec.

Ontario, which is winding down coal-generating power, has expressed an ongoing interest in Lower Churchill energy.