ESTEVAN — The Estevan Chamber of Commerce is among those lauding the Government of Saskatchewan for its commitment to extend the life of the province's coal power-generating fleet.
Executive director Merissa Scarlett said the chamber had been waiting for an answer to January's announcement that the government was strongly considering extending the life of the province's remaining coal-fired power stations. Scarlett was pleased with the June 18 announcement.
"I think it's really good news," Scarlett told Â鶹´«Ã½AV. "When we heard in January that the government was considering refurbishing the coal plants, the chamber was very excited about that positive turn of events.
"And I think now, hearing that it is confirmed that they are moving forward with that refurbishment and extending the life, I think it's a really positive thing for the area and it just makes us all feel a lot more certain and people feel like their jobs are secure, at least for now."
Scarlett credited her predecessor, Jackie Wall, in being "very instrumental" in making the announcement happen.
"I think it's been a joint effort … because everybody here had the same message, and we were all on the same page, whether it was [Estevan-Big Muddy MLA] Lori Carr down to the chamber to the municipal governments to our unions," said Scarlett.
She assumed a longer life for the coal plants would benefit suppliers during the refurbishment phase of the units, and she predicted a significant economic spin-off for the community.
"Some of our suppliers that work with the power plants, even in the oilfield, if they need some of the same equipment or tradespeople, I think it will spark some jobs and spin-offs in that economic way," said Scarlett.
If people are here for work, Scarlett said it would be good news for businesses in the community.
She recalled that in 2018 and 2019, there were concerns about the future of the community.
"I've never subscribed to that. I think that we're a very nimble and adaptable city. We always have been, and so to me, it just shows that we are stable and open for business, and we have that steady supply of employment and potential of more jobs and more businesses."
While the chamber is now going to ease the pressure associated with coal-fired power, she said the chamber has to keep pushing for the projects and will continue to advocate for economic diversification in the community to make it more stable.
