Neglect

The mystery is solved.

We now know why Our Dear Energy Plan involves transmitting so-called "Lower Churchill" power to Holyrood, on the border of the St. John's metro area, but not to anywhere in Labrador.
St. John's needs it.

Terry Roberts reports in today's Telegram:

Growth in the province's economy may be most noticeable in the capital city region, but Premier Danny Williams acknowledges St. John's has been "neglected" during his government's first four years in office.

Ironically, Williams made the admission during a campaign stop in rural Newfoundland Friday night, where cabinet minister Trevor Taylor is seeking re-election in the district of The Straits-White Bay North.

"St. John's will need work," Williams said before a crowd of some 150 people at a rally in St. Anthony.

...

"There's a misperception out there that things aren't good in rural Newfoundland and Labrador, when nothing is further from the truth. And in fact the irony is that there's still things that need to be done in St. John's," he said.

Poor St. John's.

That explains why there are so many grubby street urchins down on Water Street, playing their bongoes, grimey ball caps upturned on the sidewalk, with signs scratched onto cardboard scraps in Sharpie markers, "Brother, can you spare a megawatt?"