Fredericton, NB – The New Brunswick Forest Products Association announced today their support for the revised purchase agreement between NB Power and Hydro-Québec. This new agreement, which will see a rate reduction among large industrial users as well as a rate freeze for light industrial users, is anticipated to inject stability into New Brunswick’s forest products industry.
“We’re pleased to see that the Government has listened to the concerns of our members and New Brunswickers,” said Association President and CEO, Mark Arsenault. “We’ve been advocating for more competitive power rates for our entire membership, not just large industrial users, and this new agreement better serves our association as a whole. This will provide confidence and give our members stability in the market for the coming years, and will help sustain this industry in New Brunswick.”
The revised agreement was unanimously supported by members of the association during their annual general meeting. To the NBFPA members, the revised agreement will be another step in the right direction for the forest products industry in New Brunswick.
“We’ve seen many shifts in our industry in the past few years,” said Arsenault. “A number of our key members and employers in the province had to shut their doors in the past and a major contributor in their decision to close was out of control power rates. The new rate decreases and rate freeze will help preserve jobs. And all indications are such that housing starts and lumber sales will continue to improve. With the government now addressing our concerns around power rates, it is looking like 2010 will be a positive one for the industry.”
The New Brunswick Forest Products Association is a non-profit, non-government association that serves New Brunswick’s premiere pulp and paper mills, sawmills, and the business and academic sectors. Established in 1959, NBFPA members are made up of pulp, paper, and solid wood manufacturing companies, as well as consultants, contractors, dealers, institutions, and individuals.
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Media Contact:
Mark Arsenault
President and CEO
506-452-6930
