Premier Gordon Campbell announced Monday that his government plans to move forward with the proposed $6.6 billion Site C dam project on the Peace River. At a press conference staged at the historic W.A.C. Bennett Dam near Hudson’s Hope in northeast British Columbia, Campbell said Site C will be developed as a public project creating lasting benefits for northern communities and first nations.

The project is expected to generate 35,000 direct and indirect jobs, and is expected to come into service in 2020 — provided it passes independent environmental assessments by provincial and federal agencies, as well as gaining enough support from first nations to avert the risk of a protracted court challenge.

It would be the third dam on the Peace river, situated a few kilometres east of Fort St. John and downstream of the Bennett and Peace Canyon dams.

The 900 megawatt project would become the fourth-largest dam in Hydro’s roster of so-called ‘heritage’ hydroelectric assets.

For many years, nine other sites have been available for consideration of large hydroelectric storage-dam projects, including two on the Peace River system. Although these sites have never been part of BC Hydro’s plan, they have remained legal options for consideration. The new Clean Energy Act will change this.

It will enshrine in law, B.C.’s historic Two Rivers policy by prohibiting future development of large-scale hydroelectric storage-dam projects on all river systems in B.C., such as the Liard River system. It will also preclude further dams on the Peace River system other than Site C.

The government is describing Site C in a news release as “a source of clean and renewable energy for over 100 years, producing enough electricity to power approximately 410,000 homes per year.”

“Hydroelectric power helped develop our province and Site C will build on B.C.’s heritage of clean, renewable and affordable power,” Campbell said in the release. “Site C will be a publicly owned heritage asset and will ensure that British Columbia has reliable sources of clean electricity while contributing to our goal of electricity self-sufficiency.”

The release said the government’s decision to proceed is “based on the project’s benefits to British Columbians.”

Those benefits include a new high-quality source of electricity and lower greenhouse gas emissions relative to other forms of generation.

The dam will re-use the water passing through the Bennett and Peace Canyon dams. It will boast one-third the generating capacity of Bennett, which is the largest hydro facility in the province, with only five per cent of the Bennett reservoir’s environmental footprint, the release said.

“Site C will contribute to the local and provincial economy by creating an estimated 7,650 direct construction jobs throughout the construction period and up to 35,000 direct and indirect jobs through all stages of the project.”

Its availability as a firm power source will help facilitate the development of smaller scale, intermittent renewable energy projects, such as wind and run of river hydro.

“The province and BC Hydro are committed to providing lasting economic and social benefits for northern communities, first nations and the province,” Energy, Mines and Petroleum Resources Minister Blair Lekstrom said in the release.

“Site C will also energize our potential as a clean energy powerhouse, encouraging new investment, industry and jobs.”

The release said the decision comes at a time when BC Hydro is forecasting electricity demand will grow 20-40 per cent in the next 20 years.

“The province and BC Hydro are planning now, so that British Columbians will continue to enjoy the benefits of clean, reliable and affordable electricity in the future.”

BC Hydro chairman Dan Doyle said that based Hydro’s Site C studies to date, “we believe it is in the best long term interests of our customers to move forward on Site C.”

“Site C will provide clean, reliable and low-cost power in British Columbia for generations to come,” Doyle added.

The release said that Site C construction will be subject to regulatory approvals and “ensuring that the crown’s constitutional duties to first nations are met.”

The regulatory reviews are expected to take about two years.

“The regulatory review for Site C will involve consultation processes including opportunities for input and participation by the public, first nations, stakeholders, communities and customers.

“The review will also consider environmental and socio-economic effects, impacts to land and water and options for regional benefit such as infrastructure and supporting recreational opportunities.

“Where impacts cannot be avoided, BC Hydro will identify and evaluate potential options for mitigation.”

No related posts.

Related posts brought to you by Yet Another Related Posts Plugin.