First, thank you to everyone who came out to one of our seven open houses. It was hard to know how many of you would accept our offer to listen and share your feelings about the future of the Mactaquac Generating Station. We were amazed that nearly 950 of you took the time to visit and tell us what’s important to you at events in Nackawic, Fredericton, Woodstock and St. Thomas University.

During the open houses, our project team members provided the latest results of studies and potential site scenarios to people who live in communities around the station and headpond. 

We also asked visitors to share their thoughts and feelings about a variety of topics on big flipcharts and online. That’s when the stories really started flowing.

We learned how important this project is for many New Brunswickers. You shared memories from when the station was first built, and how your lives were changed forever by the construction of the station and creation of the headpond in the 1960’s.

We heard how many of you value the green energy that Mactaquac puts on the grid. We heard how the headpond is an important recreational and aesthetic asset for people who live within its reach.

We also heard how some of you want the Saint John River to flow freely. We heard about the importance of allowing migratory fish to follow their natural path, the beauty of the islands that could emerge and possible uses for the new lands and shorelines. 

Many of you wondered how a new Mactaquac fits into a changing energy landscape that includes small-scale renewables, solar and wind power.

We also heard your thoughts on how the new jobs and economic development potential from this project – no matter how it proceeds – would be a big help for the New Brunswick economy.

Many of you told us this is a complex decision that needs to be made logically and for the long-term good of the province. 

While not everyone agrees on what to do next, it’s clear that all New Brunswickers value the natural beauty and environment that surrounds us, no matter which side of the station they live on. It’s also clear that many New Brunswickers want to have their say about this project before any decision is made.

This is why we’ll continue to ask New Brunswickers to share their thoughts about the station during the next several months.

You can share what’s important to you online, in person or in writing until March 31, 2016. You can also check out our online survey, Mactaquaction, which takes about 15-20 minutes to complete.

Our goal in talking to you is to identify common themes and interests, so we can make sure our chosen path forward in 2016 reflects what matters most to you. 

Are you in the market for new light bulbs? Perhaps you’re ready to “break up” with old lighting technology and replace your incandescent bulbs with their newer, much more energy efficient counterpart: the LED bulb. Right now is a great time to make the switch! NB Power is currently offering instant rebates on LEDs (along with programmable thermostats, showerheads, refrigerators, and clothes washers) until the end of November at participating stores.

Here are a couple of things to keep in mind when shopping for LED bulbs:

LED bulbs are available in a variety of shapes and sizes, for any location. You can even find dimmable bulbs, but you may need to switch out your wall dimmer switch for one that is compatible with LEDs.

When selecting a bulb for brightness, look for lumens, not watts. ENERGY STAR bulbs will provide you with the same brightness (lumens) with less energy (watts). Use the chart below to figure out how many lumens you need to match the brightness of the old incandescent bulb.

Another factor to take into consideration is the light color or appearance. LED bulbs are available in a wide range of colours and they will be matched to a temperature on the Kelvin scale. A bulb with a lower K rating will appear warmer or give off yellowish light, while a higher K will be a cooler, bluer light. Choose a 2700K LED bulb for a warm/soft light equivalent to a standard incandescent bulb.

Finally, always check the packaging for proper use.

Right now, you can find LED lights for as low as $3-$4 a bulb at some participating retailers! For a light that - depending on usage - may last you decades, that is pretty darn good value! Visit smarthabits.ca to find a store near you.

Have you made the switch already? What do you like best about LED lights? Tell us about it in the comments below.