Nunavut won’t be on the hook for Pangnirtung fire

Iqaluit-Niaqunnguu MLA Pat Angnakak got assurances from Keith Peterson, minister responsible for the Qulliq Energy Corporation, June 2 that insurance would cover the cost of the burned out power plant in Pangnirtung. (FILE PHOTO)

Insurance companies are picking up the bill for Pangnirtung’s burned-out power plant.

“It’s my understanding that our insurance policies do cover the replacement of power plants,” Qulliq Energy Corp. minister Keith Peterson said June 2, in response to questions from Iqaluit-Niaqunnguu MLA Pat Angnakak.

Peterson said there are three insurance companies on the file, “and at least one of them has been on site with the fire marshal and we are tracking all expenses associated with the fire and the insurance company has agreed to cover all those expenses,” Peterson said.

The Hamlet of Pangnirtung called a state of emergency April 2 when a fire ripped through the power plant, leaving the community of 1,500 in the cold and dark.

It took two weeks for generators to fully stabilize power in the south Baffin hamlet.

Angnakak asked the minister responsible for the QEC whether government staff are up to date with their fire prevention skills.

“All our staff in the power plants are trained to respond to emergencies during work hours and after hours,” Peterson said.

“You can’t rule out everything, but our employees work to the highest standards to ensure that our power plants are safe,” he added.

Angnakak also asked about a QEC power plant emergency plan for all communities in Nunavut. She pointed out that Iqaluit’s emergency plan was last updated October 2005 — “almost a decade ago.”

“Yes, we learned a lot from the Pangnirtung emergency,” Peterson said, adding that the QEC is “still in the process over the last few years about updating what they call the power plant emergency plan.”

“Debriefings will occur and we will be in a better position in the future in case these emergencies arise,” Peterson said.

Peterson said the Government of Nunavut plans to replace the Pangnirtung power plant within the next couple of years.

Premier Peter Taptuna is hosting a public barbecue in Pangnirtung June 5 to recognize “those who contributed to the fire last April.

The event is scheduled for 5 p.m. to 7 p.m. at the Pangnirtung community hall.