BCTC seeks environmental assessment for new 230 kV cable system

On November 10, 2004, BC Transmission Corp filed an application with the Environmental Assessment Office requesting that the EAO voluntarily designate the Vancouver Island Transmission Reinforcement Project (VITRP) as a reviewable project.

On January 11, 2005, the EAO saw fit to post the letter of application and the EAO's order, to the website: www.eao.gov.bc.ca

The project is a new cable system from BC Hydro's Arnott Substation in Delta to the Vancouver Island Terminal Substation in Duncan. Its route is roughly - through Tsawassen, under the Strait of Georgia except where it crosses Galiano Island and Salt Spring Island, terminating just north of Duncan.

In service date is stated to be October 31, 2008.

The VITRP has been long sought by the GSX Concerned Citizens Coalition, and is believed to have been the solution preferred within BC Hydro to replace the aging HVDC cable system that follows the same route.

It is in the context of the Duke Point Power Proposal, for which the BCUC is conducting a hearing in January 2005 with a decision expected on February 17, 2005 (the VICFT-EPA proceeding, more about which is on www.sqwalk.com and at the BCUC website), that the VITRP is particularly of interest.

Since the HVDC are expected to be derated (note: not taken out of service) in March 2007, there is only an eighteen month gap during which Vancouver Island will be in supply deficit.

During this relatively brief interval, Norske Canada has made a Demand Management Proposal (NCDMP), to shift or curtail demand for between 30 and 210 MW at peak load periods. The BC Transmission Corp review of the NCDMP concluded:

"BCTC believes that NorskeCanada’s proposal, in combination with other stopgap measures, could help resolve the forecast short-term capacity shortfalls prior to the installation of the proposed Vancouver Island Transmission Reinforcement Project. (link)

For this reason, we and other intervenors in the VICFT-EPA review are strongly of the opinion that the Duke Point Power gas-fired project, costing at least $280 million before we even begin to tally up the cost of fuel for 25 years, is a badly misguided and inappropriate "solution" to a short term bridging problem.

Much as the GSX Pipeline triggered a lot of local concerns, so too is the VITRP. Of note, residents of Tsawassen are justifiably concerned that this brand new cable system is passing right through town and residential areas, above ground, with new unsightly towers, electromagnetic health impacts, etc. Moving it north, along the highway may be a better solution, as may be moving it underground.

For more information:

- keep tabs on www.sqwalk.com

- the Environmental Assessment at www.eao.gov.bc.ca

- BC Transmission Corp project site www.bctc.com

- BC Utilities Commission review of the Vancouver Island Call for Tenders - Electricity Purchase Agreement between BC Hydro and Duke Point Power: www.bcuc.com