WINNIPEG: A coalition of the Canadian Taxpayers Federation’s (CTF) Colin Craig, former United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) World Heritage Committee President Jim Collinson, Electrical Engineering Specialist John Roschuk and University of Manitoba Professor Emeritus Jim Graham released today an analysis on the recently proposed BiPole 3 routes. The coalition called the proposed routes “extremely costly and unnecessary.”

“By forcing Manitoba Hydro to build the BiPole 3 transmission line down the west side, the provincial government is making one of the most costly and unnecessary decisions in recent history,” said CTF Manitoba director Colin Craig. “The west side routes don’t make sense on an environmental, engineering or financial basis. The government’s decision will hurt Manitoba ratepayers for years to come.”

During the press conference, the coalition addressed each of the government’s claims for why the line should be built down the west side and has posted their analysis online. They hope enough Manitobans will review the presentation and urge the government to reconsider.

“BiPole 3 should be built down the east side of Manitoba,” said former UNESCO World Heritage Committee President Jim Collinson. “A transmission line could be located down the east side in a way that would not prejudice designation as a World Heritage site.” Collinson previously chaired the committee responsible for such decisions.

“This project will cost Manitobans royally for years to come,” said electrical engineering specialist John Roschuk. “It will also tarnish Manitoba Hydro’s reputation for engineering excellence in the global industry.”

The group noted that the west side option will cost at least an additional $1 billion-$1.4 billion, depending on its path. Further, Manitoba Hydro will have to pay land owners down the west side millions in compensation for running towers over their land. Conversely, the east side route could largely run on Crown land.