News

Jenny Wagler, Coast Reporter, February 19, 2010

Representatives of the Sechelt Indian Band (SIB) and Plutonic Power Corporation signed a second long-term Impact Benefit Agreement (IBA) Thursday, Feb. 11, regarding a 500-kV transmission line on Band territory, which could be used for the proposed 1,030-MW Bute Inlet hydroelectric project as well as future projects.

Judith Lavoie, Times Colonist, February 11, 2010

The throne speech maps out a path to lower environmental standards and a gold-rush mentality, say environmental groups.

"The spectre of an environmental-assessment regime whose governing criteria are speed and money is cause for deep concern," said George Heyman, executive director of the Sierra Club B.C.

Ralph Keller, Courier-Islander, Wednesday, February 10, 2010

Re: Lynda Belter and John Hunter's $100 dollar donation.

The decision by the BCUC on BC Hydro's Application for Approval of the 2008 Long Term Acquisition Plan (LTAP) is a lengthy document. On page 131 is the following statement:

Scott Simpson, Vancouver Sun, February 6, 2010

Independent power producers seek parity with other Hydro customers, but critics argue move would negatively impact ratepayers

Independent power producers seek economic opportunities and benefits from government similar to those available for British Columbia industries such as forestry and mining, according to a document obtained by The Vancouver Sun.

By Melissa Davis, Vancouver Sun, January 29, 2010

It's not easy being green, as the saying goes, and nowhere more so than here in British Columbia.

DAN MACLENNAN, Courier-Islander, Wednesday, January 27, 2010

It's going to take much longer than first thought for Plutonic Power to submit an Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) for its massive Bute Inlet Hydroelectric Project.

News Release, CEAA, January 21, 2010

"OTTAWA, January 21, 2010 - The Canadian Environmental Assessment Agency is postponing its participant funding process for the proposed Bute Inlet Hydroelectric Project in British Columbia due to changes in timelines associated with the submission of the Environmental Impact Statement.

A video by Jeremy Williams, www.jeremywilliams.ca

Media Release, David Suzuki Foundation, Pembina Institute, Watershed Watch Salmon Society, West Coast Environmental Law, December 17, 2009

Several environmental organizations today released a blueprint for improving the planning and development of renewable electricity projects in British Columbia. The recommendations, authored by the David Suzuki Foundation, the Pembina Institute, Watershed Watch Salmon Society and West Coast Environmental Law, have been endorsed by 25 environmental organizations across the province.

December 7, 2009 -- Transport Canada and Fisheries and Oceans Canada have taken the following course of action on December 7, 2009 relating to the screening of the Upper Toba Valley Hydroelectric Project. The authorities may exercise any power or perform any duty or function with respect to the project because, after taking into consideration the screening report and taking into account the implementation of appropriate mitigation measures, the authorities are of the opinion that the project is not likely to cause significant adverse environmental effects.

Scott Simpson, Vancouver Sun, December 4, 2009

Depending on whom you choose to believe, a wholesale expansion of British Columbia's electricity supply is either fiscal folly or a wise investment in the future.

Both Energy Minister Blair Lekstrom and the Independent Power Producers Association of B.C. (IPPBC) anticipate that the government's plan to contract several billion dollars' worth of new private sector electricity development will strengthen both domestic power supply and B.C.'s natural advantages in the power export market.

This is an extract from a December 3, 2009 letter from Bute Hydro Inc. to the Chair of the federal Review Panel.

"Upon review, we believe that additional fieldwork and analysis regarding some of the VECs [valued ecosystem components] are required before we will be in a position to submit our EIS.

"BHI will be focusing on additional fisheries baseline studies and hydrology in greater depth through the spring and fall of 2010. ... Once this data has been compiled and analyzed, BHI will be in a position to re-evaluate the timeline for submitting our EIS.

"We remain committed to successfully permitting and developing the Bute Inlet Hydroelectric Project."

Click here for the complete document.

Renewable Energy World, November 23 2009

BC Hydro announced a total of 47 British Columbia renewable energy projects, including 36 hydro projects, remain under consideration for power purchases under its 2008 Clean Power Call.

The province-owned utility said Nov. 17, 2009, that it will begin discussions with the developers of 13 proposed hydroelectric and wind power projects that it has identified as the most cost-effective. Additionally, it will offer developers of the other 34 projects the opportunity to make their proposals more cost-effective.

Justine Hunter, Globe and Mail, November 23, 2009

Run of River Power Inc. is searching for a buyer for output from Metro Vancouver project

Victoria — A run-of-the-river power project in Metro Vancouver, having achieved the distinction of uniting the New Democrat Party and the B.C. Liberals in opposition, has met with another major setback.

The Upper Pitt hasn't made the short list for a clean energy call from BC Hydro.

News Release, BC Hydro, November 17, 2009

VANCOUVER – BC Hydro is continuing to advance the Clean Power Call to acquire clean, renewable and cost-effective electricity, the crown corporation announced today. The Clean Power Call will support the BC Energy Plan's goal of achieving electricity self-sufficiency in the province by 2016. In addition, it will support the province's efforts to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and encourage economic development.

Friends of Bute Inlet, Media Release, November 16, 2009

Quadra Island - A dark and stormy night didn’t deter more than 150 people who gathered at Quadra’s Community Centre to celebrate Bute Inlet. Organized by Sierra Quadra and Friends of Bute Inlet, the Saturday evening event included slides and video depicting Bute’s incredible natural beauty, and presentation of contest-winning photos soon to be published as postcards.

The 41 entries in the first Bute Inlet Photo Contest were shown at the Quadra Community Centre to a packed hall. The 4 winners were announced at the event.

Michael Felber, Port Townsend Untitled	Jeremy Williams, Powell River Bute Inlet, Dall’s Porpoise
Bob Morgan, Stuart Island Needle Peaks	Kent O'Neil, Quadra Island Bute Inlet from Granite Peak Side

View all the photos here

The Federal Review Panel and the Secretariat visited Bute Inlet by boat and by air, visited Toba Inlet, and flew the entire transmission line route on September 1 & 2, 2009.

A report summary, maps and photographs (some quite excellent) was released on November 9, and is available here.

By Scott Simpson, Vancouver Sun, October 29, 2009

VANCOUVER — The British Columbia government has written off the aging Burrard Thermal generating plant as a reliable source of electricity.

Energy Minister Blair Lekstrom announced late Wednesday that BC Hydro can no longer include the 50-year-old, gas-fired plant on its roster of power generating facilities.

Media Release, Minister of Energy, Mines and Petroleum Resources, October 28, 2009

VICTORIA – As part of its commitment to reduce greenhouse gases and become a clean energy powerhouse, the Province has clarified its intention to the British Columbia Utilities Commission (BCUC) to end BC Hydro’s reliance on the Burrard Thermal Generating Facility for energy needs. The decision was announced today by Blair Lekstrom, Minister of Energy, Mines and Petroleum Resources.

by Lars Hawkes, Powell River Peak, Wednesday, September 23, 2009

Recently I visited Bute Inlet; what I saw was much more spectacular than any photograph can depict.

What makes this area unique is the fact that Bute Inlet cuts a long fjord right into some of the highest mountains in BC. The sheer drop of these glacier-covered mountains right to the ocean is hard to comprehend unless you have been there.

Wilderness Committee, Tuesday, September 15, 2009

Download BC Rivers at Risk.pdf

Wild places like Bute Inlet and Glacier/Howser Creeks are not only scenic areas, they are just a few of the hundreds of rivers and creeks that have become flash points over the last three years in the battle that is raging over private hydropower projects in BC.

Mother Grizzly and Cub in Bute Inlet Homalco Wildlife Tours

By Rob Butler, Vancouver Sun, 25 Sep 2009

For the past ten days, I have been away from my blog on an expedition with the Pacific WildLife Foundation to view the grizzlies of Bute Inlet. Ron Ydenberg from Simon Fraser University's Centre for Wildlife Ecology and the Pacific WildLife Foundation led the trip that included several colleagues from the University of Wachningen in The Netherlands. The aim of the trip was to examine the role of deer in river valleys with an abundance of salmon and their predators (bears and wolves).

David R. Baker, San Francisco Chronicle, Monday, September 21, 2009

More big solar power plants in the Mojave Desert. Fewer solar panels on homes and businesses. More hydroelectric dams in British Columbia.

Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger passes a solar energy field to sign an executive order he signed giving California the nation's most aggressive energy standards, during ceremonies held at a solar energy field in Rancho Cordova, Calif., Tuesday, Sept. 15, 2009. The order requires utilities to get a third of their power from renewable sources by 2020.(AP Photo/Rich Pedroncelli)

Anita Brochocka, September 14, 2009

It was a big success. FOBI made contacts with the community of Stuart Island, brought them information and publications about RORs, and I think everyone left having made allies in the fight against the phony green machine.