News

Justine Hunter, Globe and Mail, Feb. 03, 2012

Victoria — British Columbia will abandon its current commitment to move the province back to a position of energy self-sufficiency, Premier Christy Clark is announcing today.

The watered-down version of the policy is being rolled out as part of a new energy strategy aimed at fuelling a new liquefied natural gas industry.

By Jonathan Fowlie, Vancouver Sun, February 3, 2012

VICTORIA - Premier Christy Clark is making over her predecessors approach to energy self sufficiency to help make way for a significant expansion in the production of liquefied natural gas.

News Release, Premier's Office, Feb 3 2012

VANCOUVER - Premier Christy Clark today announced British Columbia's natural gas strategy will be established on a foundation of four priorities for long-term economic prosperity under the BC Jobs Plan.

"We are creating new and exciting opportunities by diversifying our natural gas sector, strengthening job prospects for British Columbians and opening the door to new clean energy projects. My government is positioning liquefied natural gas (LNG) as a cornerstone of British Columbia's long-term economic success," said Premier Clark.

By Gordon Hamilton, Vancouver Sun, January 4, 2012

California’s new carbon cap-and-trade regulations, which came into effect Jan. 1, will require BC Hydro’s power exporting arm to buy costly carbon credits on its energy exports beginning in January, 2013, likely wiping out Hydro’s primary export market and increasing the cost of electricity to B.C. consumers in the process, a B.C. energy economist said Tuesday.

The province on Tuesday granted environmental approval to a proposed run-of-river power project on the Kokish River of northern Vancouver Island that was opposed by conservation groups over potential threats to steelhead and salmon habitat.

MARK HUME, Globe and Mail, Nov. 27, 2011

VANCOUVER — There have been growing concerns in British Columbia about the impact of private power projects on streams and rivers.

But we should worry about our lakes, too, according to a file of internal government documents related to the Tyson Creek hydroelectric project.

Dear Premier Christy Clark,

RE: Environmental consequences of multiple development projects in the British Columbia – Alaska transboundary region

We are writing to ask for your leadership to balance the rush to develop mineral and energy resources on the Canadian side of the British Columbia – Alaska transboundary region with safeguarding the unique and irreplaceable ecological values of this largely pristine area. The impending construction of an industrial transmission line into west central British Columbia is the catalyst behind a spate of new proposals for mining and power generation, yet no process is currently in place to meaningfully assess cumulative impacts. Of particular concern are the international salmon runs of the Stikine, Iskut and Unuk Rivers. If allowed to proceed haphazardly, without careful consideration and thoughtful planning, the rush to develop this extraordinary region will almost certainly result in unnecessary destruction of fish and wildlife habitat and a diminishment of water quality and overall ecosystem health.

Discovery Islander, November 8, 2011

Source

Campbell River Museum, Oct 12, 2011 - Jan 17, 2012

History meets geography in a new temporary exhibit coming to the Museum at Campbell River from the Cortes Museum. The exhibit has been curated by author and artist Judith Williams.

The exhibit illustrates the derivation and meaning of geographic names seen on contemporary maps of the Bute Inlet area, and explains how they are linked to its history. The name ‘Homalco’ that we use today to identify the people whose ancestral territory comprises the length of the 80 kilometre inlet, is an anglicized version of Xwemalhkwu (swift waters) – their name for the river that empties into the head of the inlet. The ‘Bute’ was named by Captain Vancouver in honour of John Stuart, Third Earl of Bute, who took a great interest in the mapping of the Northwest Coast.

In February, FOBI and other ENGOs asked the Minister of Energy to make the 34 water licence applications in four coastal inlets a reviewable project under the Environmental Assessment Act. Ignored by the Minister, the groups sought the assistance of MLA Claire Trevena, and in May, met with Minister Terry Lake to table their concerns.

A recommendation was made to the Minister at the end of June, and posted quietly to the EAO website in August (with a previously unknown project name - Mainland Coast Bottled Water Project). The public could not have known of this and in fact FOBI was only advised of it in October. The 34 water license applications would be treated as a coordinated project, but would not be reviewed by the Environmental Assessment Office.

Recommendation of the Executive Director of the EAO to Minister Lake, June 28, 2011

Mainland Coast Bottled Water Overview Environmental Screening and Preliminary Environmental Assessment, November 22, 2010

Mainland Coast Bottled Water EPIC webpage at the EAO.

By Gordon Hamilton, Vancouver Sun, October 21, 2011

Energy-trading arm claims clean-energy exemption for U.S. power supplier is discriminatory

BC Hydro has accused California's cap-and-trade regulator of violating the North American Free Trade Agreement, saying the regulator's proposed rules on greenhouse gas emissions favour American power supplier Bonneville Power Administration.

BC Hydro, Oct 6, 2011

About independent power projects

Since the 1980s, BC Hydro has been acquiring power from Independent Power Producers (IPPs) to help meet its customers' electricity needs. IPPs develop and operate power projects using sources such as wind, water, biomass and waste heat, among others. IPPs include companies that specialize in power production, municipalities, First Nations and customers, working alone or in partnership.

by Editor, Nelson Daily, 09 Oct 2011

Jumbo Glacier Resort is now listed as inactive while Glacier Howser Energy’s hydroelectric dam is suspended, according to the new Major Projects BC website released late last week.

The two controversial projects — 40 kilometres west of Invermere and 40 km. west of Golden — have garnered significant public opposition and are both currently tied up in bureaucratic snarls.

News Release, CEAA, September 30, 2011

Site C Clean Energy Project Environmental Assessment Process and Draft Agreement Released for Public Comment

OTTAWA, September 30, 2011 – The Honourable Peter Kent, federal Minister of the Environment and the Honourable Terry Lake, British Columbia Minister of the Environment, announced today that the Site C Clean Energy Project in British Columbia will undergo a harmonized environmental assessment, including a review by a joint panel.

News Release, CEAA, September 30, 2011

Site C Clean Energy Project Environmental Assessment Process and Draft Agreement Released for Public Comment

OTTAWA, September 30, 2011 – The Honourable Peter Kent, federal Minister of the Environment and the Honourable Terry Lake, British Columbia Minister of the Environment, announced today that the Site C Clean Energy Project in British Columbia will undergo a harmonized environmental assessment, including a review by a joint panel.

By Vaughn Palmer, Vancouver Sun, September 8, 2011

The fight against climate change, partnerships with first nations and an emerging industry will all be undercut should the B.C. Liberals slacken their drive to make the province self-sufficient in electricity.

So said advocates for the province's clean power industry Wednesday, at a news conference in the provincial capital.

WENDY STUECK, Globe and Mail, Aug. 28, 2011

As the British Columbia government mulls its energy future, self-sufficiency remains a goal.

But the goal posts could move.

Lannie Keller, Friends of Bute Inlet, August 25 2011

Quadra Island provided the gateway to an unprecedented adventure now underway at Bute Inlet. Discovery Islands Lodge welcomed filmmaker Bryan Smith, big wall climbing legend Dean Potter, and a crew of skilled climbers and photographers who will document Dean’s free and solo ascent of Mt Bute for a National Geographic TV documentary.

By Chad Skelton, Vancouver Sun, August 20, 2011

Significantly reducing reliance on independent power producers would save utility hundreds of millions of dollars

BC Hydro president Dave Cobb has told his staff that he expects Victoria to soon abandon its current energy selfsufficiency policy, a move that would free Hydro from buying hundreds of millions of dollars worth of electricity that it doesn't need from independent power producers.

By Derrick Penner, Vancouver Sun, August 20, 2011

Energy from independent sources historically pricier, but panel suggests it could lower rates

Intended or not, British Columbia's private-electricity sector has become a lightning rod for public attention thanks to the recent government review of BC Hydro's operations.

By Vaughn Palmer, Vancouver Sun, August 12, 2011

Utility can likely get by with fewer dollars now, but province will be vulnerable unless spending is restored in the longer term

BC Hydro faces some big decisions in the wake of a report from a governmentappointed panel challenging the giant utility's need for 10-percent-a-year increases in electricity rates.

By Derrick Penner, Vancouver Sun, August 11, 2011

The provincial panel reviewing BC Hydro’s rates is recommending changes that will cut the increase the utility is seeking by about half by reducing staff, deferring capital projects and changing the way it sends capital projects out to bid.

Review of BC Hydro, June 2011

Press Release, Alterra Power Corp. July 28, 2011

VANCOUVER, July 28, 2011 /CNW/ - Alterra Power Corp. (TSX: AXY) announces that the Toba Montrose General Partnership ("TMGP") has exercised a one-time right in its energy purchase agreement with B.C. Hydro to increase its firm energy allotment by 10%. This increase is effective June 1, 2011.

The exercise of the right does not require the delivery of more power, but because the firm energy allotment is the highest priced tranche of the energy purchase agreement, the increase in power priced under that allotment is expected to result in an average annualized net revenue increase from TMGP of 2.4%. Further financial details were not disclosed.

James Walker, Times-Colonist, July 24, 2011

Province needs a 50-year vision to protect wilderness and wildlife

The province's auditor general has highlighted the need for improvement in the monitoring of environmental assessment projects and much more due diligence.

Even with such improvements, questions remain about the credibility of the assessment process.

News Release, Northwest Institute for Bioregional Research, July 20, 2011

(Smithers) A new independent report commissioned by the Smithers-based Northwest Institute (NWI) has found serious flaws in the provincial environmental assessment of Taseko Minesʼ proposed Prosperity Mine in B.C.ʼs west Chilcotin region.