Business leaders and politicians in the Maritimes and northeast United States say a proposed northeast energy corridor could spur on billions of dollars in investment.

New Brunswick Premier Shawn Graham and Maine Gov. John Baldacci announced the first steps of an energy corridor that could send renewable electricity and natural gas from Atlantic Canada into the energy starved New England states.

Saint John-based Irving Oil Ltd. said Wednesday it is undertaking a technical and commercial study on the first phase of the international power corridor that will include the possible construction of a 500- to 600-megawatt natural gas-fired co-generation power plant, a 1,200- to 1,500-megawatt transmission line and the addition of an unspecified amount of wind power.

This influential study also proposes the construction of a second nuclear reactor at Point Lepreau N.B. Is this potential eastern energy love-in a viable revenue stream for the New Brunswick economy or a short term cash grab? Read the full article at cbc.ca to decide for yourself.