GSXCCC: BCUC decision means 800,000 tonnes of new CO2 emissions
GSX Concerned Citizens Coalition
304 - 733 Johnson Street, Victoria, BC, V8W 3C7
Telephone (250) 381-4463
Email: thackney@island.net Website: www.sqwalk.com
For Immediate Release: February 17, 2005
Victoria--The GSX Concerned Citizens Coalition (GSXCCC) is disappointed but undeterred by today's B.C. Utilities Commission (BCUC)decision to approve an Electricity Purchase Agreement (EPA) between BC Hydro and Duke Point Power Limited Partnership.
"We have instructed our legal counsel to file an appeal with the BC Court of Appeal," stated GSXCCC president Tom Hackney. "We are not alone in believing that a reasonable apprehension of bias exists on the part of the commission panel." he said.
GSXCCC and other intervenors presented evidence that the EPA is not in the public interest, as it will lock energy consumers into 25 years of expensive and polluting power. They argued that Vancouver Island's power needs can be better met by upgrading the existing transmission lines, industrial load management and the development of clean renewable energy. Renewed transmission cables are scheduled to go into service in 2008, just one year after Duke Point is scheduled to come on stream.
Instead, the Duke Point plan will cost $35 million per year over 25 years, plus fuel costs, plus operating costs.
"Duke Point Power will more than wipe out the conservation efforts of every Vancouver Islander if they reduced their greenhouse gases by participating in the One Tonne Challenge," observed Hackney. "One day after the world celebrated an international accord to reduce emissions that cause climate change, BC Hydro and BCUC are committing us to more than 800,000 tonnes of new greenhouse gas production," he said.
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For more information contact:
Tom Hackney, GSXCCC President: (250) 381-4463
Peter Ronald, GSXCCC Director: (250) 381-8321
Arthur Caldicott, GSXCCC Director: (250) 370-9930 x.22, (250) 753-3459