2 seventy70 years of service

researched and written by

judith house and david l. myles 3

foreword

Until recently, NB Power major component in the was known to many mechanical power. development of New New Brunswickers as The Brunswick’s economy and “the hydro”.This name is Electric Power Commis- in our quality of life. rooted in our historical sion was formed in 1920 This book tells the traditions. The first and quickly followed the story of NB Power’s role in Europeans who settled lead of the New Bruns- the development of the this province immedi- wick pioneers by harness- electric power industry in ately began construct- ing the Musquash River New Brunswick and how ing dams and mills to convert hydro power this form of energy has that turned into . From this become an integral part of waterpower into beginning, NB Power our everyday lives. has grown to become a

Rayburn D. Doucett, chairman, NB Power 4

preface

Great strides have been copy layout is particularly made, particularly during able in all areas of the noteworthy. Anne Marie the last 100 years, in the province. Slocum and her staff in manufacture and delivery Many sources have Records Management of electricity. Industrializa- been consulted in order to facilitated access to a great tion has provided the compile the information many written records. Julie impetus to search for presented in this book. Robinson and the staff of sophisticated new methods The research revealed the Reference Centre pro- of generating and transmit- many fascinating aspects vided published material. ting electric power. of the story of NB Power Thanks to Christine Seventy Years of Service that could not be dealt Nassrallah and her staff, is the story in words and with satisfactorily given particularly Genevieve Jain, pictures of how NB Power the scope of this publica- for their excellent transla- delivered electricity to tion.These will be exam- tion and to Public affairs New Brunswick.The ined in greater detail in a for their constant support, words tell the story of the future work. especially Jeffrey Carleton utility’s attempt to satisfy Many people merit who did the editing.A the province’s increasing recognition for their large number of other demand for electricity.The assistance in the produc- people throughout the pictures do much to bring tion of this book. Foremost province provided infor- the words to life.They among them are Janice mation and guidance: record the significant Haig and her staff in rather than single out any events and places, many of Visual Communications other individuals, a special which have been forgotten. for the co-operation in thanks is tendered to the The photographs also dealing with the numer- people of New Brunswick. recall the faces of the men ous photographs that had We believe that this book and women who worked to be copied and printed. will enhance the diverse to make electricity avail- Karen Smith’s contribu- heritage that is ours. tion to the design and 5 in the beginningPre - electricity 1920 comes to New Brunswick On the afternoon of Saint John be came the first September 4, 1882, foresee the immense place in New Brunswick Thomas Edison turned a social and economic to have commercially switch at the Pearl Street impact that Edison’s new available electric power. generating station in New distribution system was to In 1884, the Saint John York City and energized have on the industrialized Electric Light Company the world’s first large world. built a plant on Paradise scale electrical distribu- Private interests in Row and began produc- tion system. The Edison New Brunswick were not ing and distributing system operated at about long in realizing the electricity. Two years 110 volts direct current on potential of this new and later, the Saint John Gas & a two wire plan and it revolutionary technology. Light Company bought provided enough energy Less than two years after the Saint John Electric for 800 lights. Few could Edison turned the switch Light Company and in New York, the city of Bird’s-eye view of Saint John - New Brunswick’s first generating station shown to the left of the overpass 6 in the beginningPre - electricity 1920 comes to New Brunswick became the sole distribu- system required more tor of gas and electricity in John. The 1890s also electricity than the exist- the city. This monopoly ushered in the era of ing plants could supply so lasted until 1890 when the electric-powered public a new powerhouse with a New Brunswick Electric transit systems. The 133 horsepower generator Company began produc- Consolidated Electric was constructed on the ing power in its new plant Company, incorporated in corner of Union and Dock on Princess Street and the 1892, announced plans to Streets. The first electric Eastern Electric Company electrify and extend the trolley cars appeared on opened its new facility on existing horsepowered the streets of Saint John Water Street. street railway system in on March 31, 1893. The Electricity was not used Saint John. Six electrified streetcars proved to be a exclusively for lighting horse cars were purchased viable public transporta- streets and houses in Saint in Boston and poles and tion system providing wires were erected. The

Electric trolley car 7 in the beginningPre - electricity 1920 comes to New Brunswick reliable service to citizens the Dock Street plant until of the port city for the them for more modern August 23, 1976. next 55 years. facilities. The Dock Street The Gas, By 1917, the different plant was and exception. It Light and Water Com- Saint John electric compa- expanded as new equip- pany supplied gas to nies had merged and were ment was added to meet the city of Moncton in the renamed the New Bruns- growing requirements. early 1880s. In 1886, the wick Power Company. The New Brunswick company ventured into The company modified Electric Power Commis- the electrical generation and upgraded the original sion purchased the assets business with the installa- plants from time to time of the New Brunswick tion of a 2000 candle- but eventually abandoned Power Company in 1948 power dynamo in the J.C. and continued to operate

Employees of the Moncton Gas,

Light and Water Co., circa 1917 8 in the beginningPre - electricity 1920 comes to New Brunswick Harris sugar refinery. This the first commercially plant provided arc light- on by the requirements available electricity in the ning for the refinery as well of the railroad which city on October 29, 1887. as electricity to nearby was establishing itself as Using the Waterhouse Arc churches and stores. The a major industry in System, they provided demand for electricity Moncton. electric lights for the became so great, however, During the late 1880s, skating and curling rinks, that a new plant with a there was brisk competi- seven businesses, and 1000 light dynamo was tion between two compa- even a lamp at the gate of built on Mechanic Street nies in to A.F. Randolph’s resi- in 1887. The development satisfy the increasing dence on Regent Street. of locally generated demand for electricity. The Fredericton Gas power was also spurred The Fredericton Electric Company had been Light Company supplied

Interior of the Fredericton Gas Company’s Shore Street plant, 1903

(P.A.N.B. P19-100) 9 in the beginningPre - electricity 1920 comes to New Brunswick providing coal gas for installed in a building at lighting businesses, on the south side of 120 Carleton Street. Today homes and street lamps Queen Street while the this building houses City from their Shore Street Fredericton Gas Company Sales & Service Ltd., the plant since 1850. The was granted permission to Peugeot dealership. company realized that set poles on the north side The rapid spread of electric lighting was going of Queen Street. In addi- electrification in New to involve tough competi- tion, the telephone com- Brunswick was not tion and began producing pany already had poles in confined to the cities. electricity in their gas place along the street. This However, the develop- plant in 1888. City council unsightly maze of poles ment of generation granted the Fredericton and wires caused a public facilities in smaller juris- Electric Light Company outcry. In 1889, the two dictions was irregular. permission to install poles companies merged and The town of Woodstock their equipment was

Nepisiguit Falls hydro plant,

Consolidated Bathurst Ltd., 1920 10 in the beginningPre - electricity 1920 comes to New Brunswick had two small electric prospective customers, light companies by the 1906 the company began the town undertook to do 1880s which operated in distributing hydro- all open wiring free. The conjunction with the generated power to program was very popu- Small & Fisher and homes and businesses in lar making it necessary for Connell Brothers iron the town. a 100 kilowatt unit to be foundries. Both were later In Campbellton, the installed by 1902 and superseded by the town council assumed another plant be added Woodstock Electric responsibility for he in 1911. In 1942, the town Railway Light and Power generation and distribu- council entered into an Company which built a tion of electricity. A 50 agreement with the Lower dam and a powerhouse kilowatt generator was St. Lawrence Power on the Meduxnekeag installed of Prince Company to purchase River in 1905-1906. In July William Street in 1898 from their hydro and, as an inducement to

Connell Bros. Thermal plant,

Woodstock, 1905 11 in the beginningPre - electricity 1920 comes to New Brunswick development at Métis enced by a number of . The town contin- plant in a building on different factors. In some ued to operate its own Church Avenue. The towns it was achieved electric light department plant began producing with relative ease while until December 31, 1977, electricity in November of other towns had to wait. when all of the assets of that year but had few Loggieville and Newcastle the municipal system customers. Later, the had electricity in 1912 were purchased by The plant was sold to the because of the generation New Brunswick Electric Sussex Manufacturing possibilities created by Power Commission. Company which supplied factories in both towns, The Sussex Electric the town with electrical and Grand Falls had Light Company, organ- energy until 1923. electricity by 1913 because ized in 1896, installed a The rush to acquire of the development of the electrification was influ- municipal power plant and dam, located at Second Falls on

the Green River, circa 1911 12 in the beginningPre - electricity 1920 comes to New Brunswick Aroostook Falls by Ameri- War, the development of can interests. The village They were located in the hydroelectric power of McAdam did not have larger urban centres and became a major policy electricity for its residents there were no standards initiative of the govern- until 1923 when the local to govern rates or serv- ment. Inexpensive elec- light commission pur- ices. In Saint John, for tricity promised to raise chased surplus power example, the price paid by the quality of life for the from the Canadian Pacific a home-owner ranged average citizen and pave Railway shops. from a low of 7.5 cents per the way for industrial By 1918, approximately kilowatt-hour to a high of development and pros- 20 organizations were in 15 cents depending upon perity in a province where the business of producing location and the amount fortunes had been declin- power in the province. of power consumed. ing for almost 50 years. Following the First World

Pulp and paper company power plan, St. George, circa 1905 (National Archives of ,

PA 41747) 13 Cliffordbio W. Robinson Clifford Robinson’s success in the Commission after its Party was defeated in the in business and government law, business and public inception. Robinson was Speaker of the next provincial election. made him the natural choice service was undoubtedly due A native of Moncton, House, a member of the Robinson remained Leader of as the first chairman of The to his quiet nature. A local Robinson was educated at Executive Council, Provin- the Opposition until 1910 New Brunswick Electric historian has noted that Mount Allison University cial Secretary and Attorney when he retired from Power Commission. He was “although he had a long and was called to the bar in General. He succeeded politics. His retirement did instrumental in establishing career in public life, he often 1893. Robinson was active William Pugsley as not last long and, following the new utility and in appeared to be a reluctant in Moncton civic politics on May 31, 1907, in the the provincial election of resolving land and waterway participant, sought after by before he won election by ‘year of the three premiers’. 1917, he served as the disputes with private others because he was a acclamation to the New However, his tenure as minister of lands and mines interests. popular and credible Brunswick legislature in premier lasted little more before being called to the Clifford Robinson was candidate”. It was precisely 1897. In a distinguished than one year as the Liberal Senate. appointed to the Senate on these qualities that made career in provincial affairs, Robinson’s background May 5, 1924. He died in him the right man to guide Montreal in 1944.

C.W. Robinson, chairman of the New Brunswick Electric Power Commission, 1920

(P.A.N.B., P37-119) 14 the nineteen1920 twenties - the early years After the First world War Brunswick Electric Power there was a public percep- also recognized the Commission. The original tion in New Brunswick important role that Commission consisted of that light and power were electricity would play in the Honourable C.W. necessities of life and the economic develop- Robinson, chairman; C.O. were therefore the respon- ment of the province. It Foss, commissioner sibility of the government. enacted the New Bruns- and chief engi- The government of wick Electric Power Act neer; and Reid Premier Walter E. Foster on April 24, 1920, which McManus, established The New

C.O. Foss, commissioner and chief engineer, 1920

The Commissioner’s head office,

Saint John, 1927 to 1948 15 the nineteen1920 twenties - the early years commissioner and Fairville and then to secretary. house on the Musquash Moncton, supplying The Commission River. By the spring of power to Moncton, Sussex immediately began 1922 the contract was and Saint John. formulating plans to completed on schedule at The Commission generate electrical energy a cost of $2 million. The would soon learn, how- for commercial use. Its following February a ever, that the success of first project was a hydro- transmission line span- its energy projects and its

The Commission’s first customer electric dam and power- ning 88 miles was com- acceptance by the public was Fraser’s pulp mill at Millbank, pleted from Musquash to 1921. Because the Commission had no generating capacity of its own, it bought power for Fraser’s from Consolidated Bathurst Ltd. (Lewis Dickson, Chatham NB) 16 the nineteen1920 twenties - the early years was by no means assured. their plans. The earthfilled Following the completion considerable debate over dam, unable to withstand of the Musquash dam, the whether public or private the combination of heavy Commission began to interest should develop rains and melting snow, develop plans for a plant the falls. It appeared that gave way. The resulting at Grand Falls. Although development was going to property damage, the loss it was considered the best proceed under Commis- of generating capacity, hydro site on the Saint sion guidance but prob- and the loss of public John River, there was lems at Musquash in the confidence threatened the spring of 1923 derailed

Line crew in Norton, 1921 17 the nineteen1920 twenties - the early years very survival of the electricity. Most industries fledgling Commission. generating station at were seeking to modern- Subsequently, the Saint Grand Falls and in 1930 ize their operations John River Power Com- the plant was officially and required reliable pany, a subsidiary of the opened. service while larger urban Fortunately for the areas needed large blocks Company, was given the Commission, the accident of power. The opportu- rights to develop the did little to dampen the nity to develop electrical public’s demand for

Constructing the Grand Falls generating station, 1926

Cranston Avenue, Saint John, the Commission’s first substation,

1921 18 the nineteen1920 twenties - the early years generating and distribu- the 1920s the spread of tion systems to meet this ties, industries bought electrification was largely demand did much to blocks of power from an urban phenomenon. salvage the Commission’s private generating Rural electrification credibility. stations. There was even was not economically The Commission cooperation between feasible as demand was could not fill all of these municipal governments low and the capital cost requirements immedi- and private industry to of stringing lines was ately. In some municipali- build and maintain prohibitive. generating plants. During

Lord Willingdon, Governor General of Canada (left) and Premier J. B. M. Baxter at the

Grand Falls opening, 1930 19 the nineteen 1930thirties - from hydro to coal The 1930s was a decade of cautious development. consolidation for the market crash in 1929 had In the late 1920s, the Commission and an an adverse effect on the Commission had decided opportunity to improve entire North American to base part of its future its generation and distri- economic system. No development on indig- bution service throughout government or business enous coal from the Minto the province. The stock had escaped its effects area. By 1931 it had built and it was a time for

The legendary Mr. Green, superintendant at the Grand Lake plant, habitually wore white gloves to work to check the cleanliness of the plant

The Grand Lake “steam” plant under construction, 1931 20 the nineteen 1930thirties - from hydro to coal its first thermal generating to expand its distribution plant at Grand Lake to 20,000 tons of coal annu- system by building new supply electricity to the ally, also provided a lines and acquiring city of Fredericton and the steady market for the existing systems. In 1930 cotton mill in Marysville. local coal industry. the International Paper The generating station, The decade was also a Company built a trans- which would use about time of minor expansion mission line from the as the Commission began Line building, Grand Lake to Marysville/Fredericton, 1931 21 the nineteen 1930thirties - from hydro to coal hydro generating station tion systems of the towns in Grand Falls to its new and constructed a power of Newcastle and paper mill in Dalhousie. line from Dalhousie to Chatham. These were The Commission to serve the municipal systems whose seized the opportu- residents along the coast. power came from the nity to purchase The line was placed in Bathurst Company surplus power service in October 1932. Limited, a paper company from the company In 1934 the Commis- which had a hydro plant sion bought the distribu- Louise Glennie, secretary- treasurer & manager of the Light and Power Company. Miss Glennie was also secretary to A.A. Dysart, Commission chairman and

Substation built in Devon in 1931 to serve Fredericton

Grand Lake Unit 3, 1936 22 the nineteen 1930thirties - from hydro to coal at Nepisiguit Falls. By other industries objected now, the Commission had supply Newcastle and to the price arranged power to spare because of Chatham. between the government- its new plant at Grand In 1936 a new unit was controlled Commission Lake. A line was quickly added to the Grand Lake and the coal producers - built from Grand Lake to plant creating an even $2.70 per ton of coal. They Nelson-Miramichi to greater demand for Minto retaliated by cutting back coal. The railways and Building the line form Grand Lake to Nelson-Miramichi. The Cains River footbridge, 1935

In 1938, residents of Grand Manan Island petitioned the Commission for 24-hour electric lighting. [Lights went out at 11 o’clock at night on the island.] The Commission complied by buying the diesel generating plant at Grand Harbor from the Grand Manan Light and Power Company 23 the nineteen 1930thirties - from hydro to coal on their coal purchases. coal began to improve and This reduction in demand necessary to operate the the price received by the caused labour unrest and Grand Lake generating producers was beginning Minto experienced its first station. The Commission to increase. Minto miners coal miners’ strike in 1936. was forced to purchase were back working the Production at the mines coal from in mines on a regular basis fell and by 1937 the order to maintain opera- when events in Europe mining companies could tion of its vital plant. heralded the beginning of not provide the coal By the end of the World War Two. decade the demand for

Minto coal miners, circa 1935

(P.A.N.B., P37-293) 24 the nineteen1940 forties - the war years The decision by the substations. Commission federal government to had a direct impact upon employees worked hand provide training facilities the Commission. Several in hand with airforce for air force personnel training bases were built crews in the layout and from Britain, Canada and in New Brunswick and construction of distribu- other countries in the each required a supply of tion lines. Some of this British Commonwealth electricity together with work was carried out distribution lines and

The Chatham plant began producing 12,500 kilowatts in 1948

Commonwealth training camp, Scoudouc, 1945 (National Archives of Canada

PA 178358) 25 the nineteen1940 forties - the war years during the winter when service after the war. frost penetration four feet which required no capital At the end of the deep made the opening of investment and for which Second World War a new holes for pole-setting a prevailing rates were era of prosperity began difficult and uncomfort- charged, proved to be and with it came a surge able operation. The very profitable for the of activity and a demand addition of these services, Commission and allowed for more electrical energy. a rapid expansion of

In January 1948 the Dock Street plant was purchased from the New Brunswick Power Company (a private company). Dock Street plant, circa 1929

A break in Ken Clark’s continuous employment occurred between 1941-45 when he served with the RCNVR during WWII 26 the nineteen1940 forties - the war years Electricity generated by of the villages in New burning diesel fuel was St. Stephen, Andover, Brunswick had electricity a quick and inexpensive Campobello, Shippagan but many rural areas were way of getting power and St. Quentin and two still without electrical to isolated communities. more units were added to service. Many of the farms In the 1940s diesel plants the original two-unit in New Brunswick were installed in Grand Manan Plant. remained vacant after the All the towns and most

In 1940 a 50 kilowatt diesel unit was installed at St. Quentin

The diesel plant in Campobello was placed on standby when a submarine cable was laid from the

mainland in March 1948 27 the nineteen1940 forties - the war years war because returning increasingly complicated veterans were unwilling the province’s paved methods required to to go back to the manual highway system and to ensure safe and reliable drudgery of farm work. introduce a rural electrifi- delivery, necessitated To entice people to return cation program. changes in the organiza- to farming, the govern- The rapidly growing tion and operation of the ment pledged to expand demand for electricity in Commission. By the end the postwar years, and the Shippagan diesel plant was installed in 1948 and placed on standby in 1950. It was fired up again in 1956 because of widespread outages due to an exceptionally severe icestorm which covered the entire eastern side of the province. Ward Black (left) and Robert Vautour

Newspaper advertisement urging customers to save electricity, October 23, 1947 28 the nineteen1940 forties - the war years of the 1940s, 471 perma- government, Fredericton nent employees worked Boucher declared that was chosen to be the site for the Commission a new building was of the new head office. In and the Saint John head- necessary to solve the October 1949 the Commis- quarters was no longer problem of overcrowding sion moved to 527 King adequate. Commission and, because the Street, one block west of Chairman Gaspard Commissioner wanted to the Legislative Assembly. be nearer the seat of

The new head office building in Fredericton, 1949

The machine room, head office, 1949 29 the nineteen1950 fifties - the hydro years If the 1940s was a period sion’s supply. To compli- of growth brought on by economic and social cate matters, low rainfall the war, then the follow- growth of the province, it had reduced the capacity ing decade brought a would have to make of the hydro plants to recognition that if the changes to its structure generate electricity. For Commission was to serve and operation. the first time in its history, its customers properly In the late 1940s the the Commission had to and contribute to the demand for electricity far ration electricity, particu- exceeded the Commis-

Dam and powerhouse at Milltown purchased in 1958 (Wilson Studio, Saint John, NB) 30 the nineteen1950 fifties - the hydro years larly in Carleton County. was built and the hydro plant Households were potential hydroelectric began producing power in asked to reduce their use sites along the Saint John 1953. of electricity between River valley revealed The year 1953 was 4:00 pm and 8:00 pm. It several possibilities for significant not only was obvious that more the construction of power because it marked the generating capacity was dams. The most promis- opening of the Tobique needed. Surveys of ing site was on the dam, but also for other . A dam

Glen Kitchen demonstrating how to test high voltage gloves at the Service Centre, 1959

Construction shot of Tobique dam, 1951 (R.H. Smith, Sackville, NB, August 1951) 31 the nineteen1950 fifties - the hydro years reasons. Perhaps the most plants. But, while the important of these was the diverse system of genera- Commission produced recognition that New tion. Prior to the 1950s, more kilowatts than ever Brunswick’s commercial hydro generation had before, the need for and residential demand produced only a small maximum amounts of for reliable and inexpen- proportion of the prov- electricity at peak times sive electricity required a ince’s electric energy, the was such that planning more sophisticated and greater part being gener- for the future had to be ated by steam in thermal

Ice storm damage

On January 2, 1956, a severe ice storm struck the eastern side of the province. After 10 days of continuous freezing rain and sleet, 423 miles of distribution line and 10 miles of 69 kV transmission lines were knocked down. At the height of the storm, 23,000 customers were without electricity 32 the nineteen1950 fifties - the hydro years based on a generating taking place in operations. system of integrated and lated entities. By the end As the Commission’s interconnected hydro and of the decade, New activities thermal plants. Brunswick had broken expanded and During the 1950s, that trend when the became more electric utilities in New Commission established sophisticated, Brunswick, Nova Scotia, the first interconnections it became and in the region with two necessary to operated as totally iso- small utilities in . introduce Changes were not only Grand Falls generating station, purchased in 1959

Premier Hugh John Flemming opening Beechwood hydro plant June 11, 1955 33 the nineteen1950 fifties - the hydro years changes in administration In 1953 the Commission, to keep pace with the all operating functions and seven locals of the inherent complexities of and established a strong International Brotherhood growth. In 1957, Reginald executive committee of Electrical Workers, Tweeddale, the chief made up of department representing over engineer, became the heads to deal with such 400 employees, Commission’s first gen- crucial matters as rate signed a collective eral manager. He as- structure, expropriations agreement for the sumed responsibility for and industrial develop- first time. ment strategy.

Reginald E. Tweeddale, first general manager, 1958

Graduates of the first linemen’s class, a three week course, 1953

Labour leader H.C. Tracy and Hon. Edgar Fournier signing the first collective labour agreement between The New Brunswick Electric Power Commission and the local unions of the International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers (AFL), 1953 (Daily Gleaner, Fredericton, NB) 34 the nineteen sixties 1960- over a billion kilowatts generated Between 1960 and 1975 ern part of the province, total in-province demand its system to meet the made a firm base of for electric energy in- increasing demands electrical power vital if creased 12% per year - of a changing industrial New Brunswick were to well above the national base and a growth in grow and prosper. Con- average. The Commission population. struction started in 1959 needed more energy on Industrial growth, on a new thermal plant at particularly in the south-

First bucket trucks arrive at the Fredericton railway yards, November 1962 35 the nineteen sixties 1960- over a billion kilowatts generated Courtenay Bay, adjacent September 1966 a third to the Saint John Ship- sure thermal station and unit of 100,000 kilowatts building Company. the first 50,000 kilowatt was completed. Courtenay Bay was the unit went on line in The largest Commission’s first high December 1960. A second single construc- temperature, high pres- unit was placed in opera- tion project ever tion five years later and in

Arthur J. O’Connor, appointed general manager in 1967 and president in 1986

Courtenay Bay under construction, 1965 36 the nineteen sixties 1960- over a billion kilowatts generated undertaken in the prov- created a headpond more ince began in 1965 at sluiceways was con- than 60 miles in length. Mactaquac, 12 miles up structed across the Saint The plant was designed to the Saint John River from John at a cost of $128 add a total of 600,000 Fredericton. An earth- million. The dam raised kilowatts of power to the filled dam with concrete the water 130 feet above system in a phased-time its original level and

The new computer room, 1961. The modern administrative infrastructure which evolved in the 1950s required more sophisticated business systems. Changing over from conventional to electronic accounting was a highlight of the 1961 fiscal year

1964 marked the start of the 25 Year Club - its first president was Miss Louise Glennie. Back row - Herb Steeves, secretary treasurer (left) and Walter Allen, vice-president 37 the nineteen sixties 1960- over a billion kilowatts generated schedule. The first three watts of power to the units became operational the Commission re- system. in 1968. sponded by building the The Commission, in Northern New Bruns- Dalhousie generating common with other wick was also experienc- station This generating electric utilities, had been ing rapid growth in the station began operating in following a general demand for electricity and September 1969 and planning rule that any provided 100,000 kilo-

Artist’s impression of Dalhousie I

The Marysville Service Centre, 1968. This building was needed to house an ever- expanding inventory. The Stores section of the service centre was destroyed by fire in October 1981 but was rebuilt by summer 1983 38 the nineteen sixties 1960- over a billion kilowatts generated new generating station of scale since the cost should not be larger than neighboring utilities per kilowatt produced one-tenth of the size of the developed. Interconnec- at a large generating utility’s entire system. tions meant that larger station is less than the During the 1960s, how- generating stations cost per kilowatt ever, the idea of intercon- could be built, allowing produced at a small

necting with larger the Commission to plant. Robert Stanfield opens benefit from economies the first interconnection to Nova Scotia on September 21, 1960 39 the nineteen seventies1970 - the energy crisis The development of producing power for interconnections had an become the largest on the commercial use. immediate impact on the Commission’s system. It The construction of utility. A participation was designed to burn oil Coleson Cove coincided contract with New Eng- which had become plenti- with the worldwide land utilities made it ful and cheap following energy crisis when the possible to build three the Second World War. price per barrel of oil 355 megawatt units at Construction, begun in soared from $3 in 1972 to Coleson Cove. This new 1972, was completed almost $37 a decade later. plant was destined to by January 1977 when Responding to the insta- all three units were Coleson Cove (Wilson Studio, Saint John, NB. October 1975) 40 the nineteen seventies1970 - the energy crisis bility of the world oil New Brunswick, and market, the federal considered as early as the that Commission officials government guaranteed 1950s. At a district meet- had been meeting annu- loans for up to 50% of the ing in Saint John in ally with Chalk River capital cost for the con- November 1956, Reg authorities, familiarizing struction of the first Tweeddale, then assistant themselves with new nuclear unit in a province- chief engineer of the developments in nuclear at federal interest rates. Commission, said that power. Tweeddale told In New Brunswick, atomic power was not his audience “possibly nuclear power had been being overlooked as a within the next 15 years generation possibility for

Dalhousie II was built to burn coal but could easily be converted to oil 41 the nineteen seventies1970 - the energy crisis atomic energy will be of tion started in May 1975 vital interest in the Mari- not until the 1970s that and was completed in time provinces in regard serious planning was 1981. At peak construc- to the development of initiated. The Point tion, the project employed cheap hydroelectric Lepreau site was chosen 3300 workers. power.” over 20 others because its The instability of the oil Although NB Power proximity to the Bay of market during the 1970s engineers were keen to Fundy promised deep and complicated planning to get involved with this relatively ice-free water meet future demands for new technology, it was for the plant’s water- electrical energy. The cooling system. Construc-

Point Lepreau calandria arriving, 1977 42 the nineteen seventies1970 - the energy crisis Commission investigated cial solid state high a number of options. One without endangering the voltage direct current was to buy hydroelectric- network of interconnected (HVDC) converter station ity form Hydro-Quebec utilities in eastern North was placed in service at which had a surplus as a America to which the Eel River, New Bruns- result of the recently Commission was linked wick. Another option was developed Churchill Falls. via its interconnection to convert existing ther- A problem presented with the state of Maine. mal plants to enable them itself: how to import This technical problem to burn coal as well as oil. power from Quebec was resolved in 1972 when Consequently, future the world’s first commer-

Solar energy panels and wind-powered generator, 43 the nineteen seventies1970 - the energy crisis generating units were 1984. Alternative energy designed to burn more such project involved sources such as windmills than one type of fuel or a raising trout and Atlantic and solar energy were also combination of fuels. salmon in ash ponds considered not only to Hand in hand with heated with warm water reduce New Brunswick’s higher prices for oil came from the Grand Lake dependence on foreign oil, renewed emphasis on generating station. This but also as a method of energy conservation and experiment in fish farm- electrical generation that environmental protection ing was an unqualified was less harmful to the resulting in several success and led to a environment. original projects. One second fish farming The energy crisis operation at Mactaquac in

Fish-rearing ponds at Grand Lake 44 the nineteen seventies1970 - the energy crisis contributed to an eco- symbol to reflect its nomic recession in North 1975, life insurance was modern operations. The America. As people changed from a flat rate to new symbol of rotating became more concerned an amount equal to four arrows and a bilingual about income protection, times and employee’s “Énergie NB Power” companies responded salary and long-term were adopted. The new with new benefits for disability benefits were logo, used to identify NB employees. At the introduced. Power on everything from Commission, two major During the 1970s, The letterhead to hard hats to changes in employee New Brunswick Electric service trucks, became benefits materialized Power Commission synonymous with electric- during the decade. In sought to change its ity in New Brunswick. corporate name and

Dana Ellison examining artifacts at the 25 Year Club Museum Mactaquac, 1979 45 the nineteen1980 eighties - the nuclear age The 1980s may best be of computer technology to remembered as NB interconnections and all facets of NB Power’s Power’s entry into the export contracts with operations, and a recogni- nuclear age with the other utilities, the consoli- tion of the importance of opening of the Point dation of the use of New conservation and the Lepreau nuclear generat- Brunswick coal as a environment. ing station. The decade reliable source of energy, In 1980, the Commis- was also marked by a the beginning of new sion’s total generating

renewed emphasis on research and development capacity stood at over The first dragline in the Minto programs, the application coal fields owned by the The 50m3 “Maid Marion” dragline Rothwell Mining Co., circa 1914 46 the nineteen1980 eighties - the nuclear age 2,500,000 kilowatts. This it was supplying more energy was being pro- plant at than 30% of the electricity duced in six hydro plants, was completed. Phased used in the province as six thermal generating testing of the unit was wall as providing one- stations, one diesel plant, carried out in 1982. By third of its output for and a small combustion February 1983, the export sales. turbine unit. In December world’s first Candu 600 The success of the Eel 1981, the construction of was supplying energy to River interconnection, the nuclear generating the NB Power grid. together with the need to Within a very short time,

Point Lepreau operating (Tom Bochsler, Mainway Studio, Burlington, 51264E-51)

In 1988 the new Energy Control Centre in Marysville became operational. From this building interconnection sales and purchases are managed and in-province energy is distributed to residents, businesses and industries 47 the nineteen1980 eighties - the nuclear age strengthen the transmis- Power assumed owner- sion capabilities in north- interchange capacity with ship of NB Coal. The western New Brunswick, Quebec and added 400 Minto coalfields, mined led NB Power to negotiate km of new high voltage for over 350 years, are a second major HVDC 345 kV transmission line. probably the oldest coal link with Hydro-Quebec The decade also saw a mines in North America just north of Edmundston. change in NB Power’s still actively worked. The Completed in 1985, this relationship with the coal coal, which is extremely project doubled the mining industry in the high in sulphur and province. In 1986 NB

Frank Brittain of Central Technical Services checking Chatham stack for emissions

Meter reader Brian Smith, using Itron to record power consumption at a residence, Fredericton District 48 the nineteen1980 eighties - the nuclear age expensive to mine, raised This advanced technology environmental concerns. fied during the 1980s. The employs limestone in the New combustion tech- successful research and combustion process to niques are currently being development of a circulat- capture gases, which, if developed to reduce ing fluidized bed boiler at released into the atmos- sulphur dioxide emissions the Chatham generating phere, produce acid rain. from coal-burning plants. station permitted NB By 1983, the growth of Emphasis on research Power to diversify fuel the utility placed a strain and development intensi- types and experiment on the old head office with new low-grade fuels. Unloading a shipload of Orimulsion™ at Dalhousie

Cathy Cornfield, Chemical Technologist at the Coleson Cove generating station laboratory, analyses an effluent sample 49 the nineteen1980 eighties - the nuclear age building and employees vided ready access to moved next door to a new home of the construction information. The Commis- Bank of Montreal office projects staff. sion installed an inte- building. Three years In the early 1980s, NB grated office information

later, NB Power exercised Power embarked on a system which includes New head office its option to purchase the long-range plan to de- electronic messaging, building, 515 King Street, Fredericton building and assumed velop computer systems. word processing, spread ownership. The old The application of compu- sheets, business graphics headquarters became the ter technology improved and access to management productivity and pro-

Henry Bielecki, station manager, examining a tomato grown at Grand Lake. Warm water from the plant’s condensers flows over the roof thereby heating the greenhouse. This reduces the price of heating by one third when compared with a conventionally heated greenhouse. The greenhouse is leased to a private interest. 50 the nineteen1980 eighties - the nuclear age and project information. programs aimed at the This was accomplished both of which are vitally conservation of energy. through a link to the important to construction Subsequently, residential, mainframe computers and maintenance staff. commercial and indus- installed in head office, The efficient use of trial customers re- the plants and districts. energy resources is crucial ceived technical and Technological advances in an age when demand financial assistance have enhanced the areas for nonrenewable energy to aid in the devel- of inventory control and sources is growing. opment of energy- computer-aided design, During the 1980s, NB efficient facilities.

Water Street, St. Andrews, Power actively promoted before and after underground Frank MacLoon, wiring installation president 1989 (Charles Mason, St. Andrews, NB) 51 the nineteen1990 nineties and beyond This year marks the 70th to meet the growing anniversary of NB Power. Power will produce a energy demands of the There have been many reliable supply of electric- 1990s and beyond. changes in the utility over ity at an acceptable price, Construction of the 450 70 years and there have that it will demonstrate a megawatt Belledune been just as many changes constant concern for the generating station is in public expectations environment, and that it presently underway. about NB Power’s role in will encourage energy Recently a major contract providing a service vital conservation. valued at $120 million to New Brunswickers. NB Power has several was awarded to purchase Certain expectations, major construction pro- five large combustion however, have remained jects currently underway turbines for installation at fairly constant: the pub- throughout the province. Millbank and Ste Rose. lic’s expectation that NB These projects are Several research and important if the utility is

Belledune generating station under construction, 1990 52 the nineteen1990 nineties and beyond development and training sions. It is committed to a programs are ongoing in generating electricity is federal-provincial sulphur the Saint John area. matched by its innovation dioxide emission reduc- Though developing in environmental protec- tion program. Further- new sources of electrical tion. It has attempted to more, at Belledune, NB generation to meet the address environmental Power is installing a growing demands of New issues as they have “scrubber” to reduce SO2 Brunswickers is impor- emerged. The utility is emissions. tant, maintaining due doing its part to reduce Both energy conserva- concern for the environ- emissions from its thermal tion and efficiency play an ment is equally as impor- generating stations. It has important role in the tant. NB Power’s tradition installed environmental environmental planning of excellence in the control systems to remove process, although often technical aspects of particulate and help they are not recognized. regulate plant air emis-

Sharing our facilities - ospreys nesting atop a hydro pole 53 the nineteen1990 nineties and beyond Over the years, NB Power in the workplace. The has introduced a number owners advice on how to “Employment Equity” of energy conservation save energy. To date, program strives to iden- programs to help custom- some 1,700 home visits tify and correct inequities ers improve energy have been made through- that exist in the work- efficiency in their homes out the province. As a place. The gradual and businesses. In the result of programs fos- progress that has been spring of 1990 NB Power tered or supported by NB made in the trades by launched the first of its Power, nearly $50 million women and minority “Energy Wise” programs. has already been invested groups is balanced by the The “Home Energy within the province on significant increases made Check” provides free energy conservation in the professional groups home energy audits by measures. over the past five years. experienced Energy NB Power is also The number of women Advisors who give home- attempting to meet the involved in personnel, challenges of the 1990s

Planning supervisor, John Theriault and his son John Abraham Theriault II at the launching of the Woodhog I. The boat keeps the Mactaquac headpond clear of floating debris. 54 the nineteen1990 nineties and beyond information systems, difficult, were met by accounting, public rela- flexible hours, daycare, employees dedicated to tions, procurement and paternity leave and health the belief that their job real estate has grown by and benefit programs that was important if the 35%. The “Employment respond to the needs of benefits of electricity Equity” program at employees. were to be supplied to NB Power will enter a Every decade since all parts of the province. significant phase with the the 1920s has offered a Although the challenges beginning of a process different set of challenges may be more compli- that will result in pay for NB Power, but the cated today than in the equity or equal pay for goal of providing a safe early years, the em- work of equal value. reliable supply of electric- ployee commitment to Other challenges in the ity for New Brunswick customer service re- work-place include has remained the same. mains constant. Past challenges, however

Heather Gomez, “Pay Equity” program co-ordinator 55 NBtime Power generating line plants Plant Plant Year of Original Year acquired Year type first service Owner by NB Power retired

Saint John (Dock Street) Thermal (coal) ca.1893 Consolidated Electric 1948 1976 Milltown Hydro 1911 Canadian Cottons Ltd. 1958 n/a Kouchibouguac Hydro 1917 & Rexton Power Company 1939 1953 Musquash Hydro 1922 NB Power n/a n/a Grand Falls Hydro 1928 St. John River Power Co. 1959 n/a Grand Manan Diesel 1929 Grand Manan Light & Power Company 1939 n/a Grand Lake I Thermal (coal) 1931 NB Power n/a 1967-76 Saint-Quentin Diesel 1940 NB Power n/a 1957* Saint Stephen Diesel 1946 Maritime Electric Co. Ltd. 1947 1952* Andover Diesel 1948 NB Power n/a 1951* Campobello Diesel 1948 NB Power n/a 1951 Chatham Thermal (coal/oil) 1948 NB Power n/a n/a Shippagan Diesel 1948 NB Power n/a 1951* Grand LakeII Thermal (coal) 1952 NB Power n/a n/a Tobique Hydro 1953 NB Power n/a n/a Beechwood Hydro 1957 NB Power n/a n/a Courtenay Bay Thermal (oil) 1961 NB Power n/a n/a Sisson Hydro 1965 NB Power n/a n/a Mactaquac Hydro 1968 NB Power n/a n/a Dalhousie Thermal (coal/oil) 1969 NB Power n/a n/a Moncton Combustion turbine 1971 NB Power n/a n/a Coleson Cove Thermal (oil) 1976 NB Power n/a n/a Point Lepreau Thermal (nuclear) 1983 NB Power n/a n/a Grand Manan Combustion turbine 1989 NB Power n/a n/a

* Removed from regular service-remained on standby for varying periods 5656