Contentious project given environmental approval
By Derrick Penner, Vancouver Sun, December 14, 2011
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.
How Power is Acquired
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.
No showdown when coal miners, clean energy advocates come to town
Gordon Hamilton, Vancouver Sun, September 26, 2011
You could be forgiven for thinking it was an energy showdown. On the southeast corner of Georgia and Burrard, Canada’s coal industry was holding its annual conference Monday at the Fairmont Hotel Vancouver.
John Horgan, unplugged
Tom Fletcher, Victoria View, September 10, 2011
I had a lively discussion with NDP energy critic John Horgan this week, after a presentation by independent power producers about the benefits of expanding the province’s small hydro and wind power network to replace coal- and gas-fired electricity. Here’s an edited transcript:
Clean power industry is under threat
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.
Millions laid out in Tahltan deal
Staff Writer, Terrace Standard, June 08, 2011
THE TAHLTAN Nation stands to gain more than $500 million in benefits over the lifetime of three run-of-river hydro electric projects being built on its traditional territory, Tahltan leaders estimate.
IPP’s to cost BC Hydro almost $1 billion annually by 2014
By Jesse Ferreras, Whistler Pique, March 22, 2011
Increase to help BC Hydro pay for rising energy costs
BC Hydro's investment in green energy is expected to cost it almost $1 billion by 2014.
AXOR axes 2006 energy purchase agreement with BC Hydro
Greg Nesteroff, Arrow Lakes News, November 16, 2010
The proponent behind the Glacier Howser independent power project says it has cancelled an energy purchase agreement with BC Hydro. But while Axor Corp. intends to sign a new deal, critics claim it’s another nail in the project’s coffin.
Glacier/Howser energy purchase agreement cancelled
Chris Shepherd, Nelson Post, November 12, 2010
BC Hydro and AXOR, the company behind the Glacier/Howser power project, no longer have a power purchase agreement. Just what that means for the controversial hydroelectric generating project is unclear, but the Nelson-Creston MLA says it’s “great news.”
Loss of champion unnerving
Paul Luke, The Province, November 07, 2010
Yet, despite Gordon Campbell's exit, private-power producers optimistic
B.C.'s private power producers have a mild case of nerves as they brace for the departure of a key champion -- Premier Gordon Campbell.
Barriers remain to first nations green energy projects
DON CAYO, Vancouver Sun, September 15, 2010
Provincial promises have not panned out
The current industrial economy brought great prosperity to much of the province, but B.C.'s first nations were, with a few exceptions, largely shut out.
Vancouver's Sea Breeze Power confident of wind project's prospects
By SCOTT SIMPSON, Vancouver Sun, August 17, 2010
99-megawatt Island wind farm planned
VANCOUVER - Just a couple of hurdles remain in a two-decade effort by Vancouver’s Sea Breeze Power to join the ranks of independent power producers who’ve made it from wannabe to commercial electricity producer.
Largest source of independent power in B.C. goes on the grid
SCOTT SIMPSON, Vancouver Sun, August 10, 2010
$663-million Toba run-of-river project outperforms many BC Hydro facilities
Plutonic Power passed a milestone for its Toba Inlet projects on Monday with the commencement of full-scale power delivery to BC Hydro.
BC's Largest Independent Run-Of-River Hydro Project Starts Generating Clean Power
News Release, Plutonic Power Corp., August 9, 2010
VANCOUVER, BC - August 9, 2010 - Plutonic Power Corporation (TSX: PCC) and GE Energy Financial Services, a unit of GE (NYSE: GE), announced today that their Toba Montrose General Partnership ("TMGP") has commenced selling electricity to BC Hydro under an Electricity Purchase Agreement ("EPA") from power generated by the East Toba River and Montrose Creek generation facilities.
Sinister Financial Vectors at BC Hydro
Erik Andersen, August 7, 2010
A vector gives information as to direction and the magnitude of a changing position. A series of financial statements can also provide vector information about the financial health or otherwise of corporations.
BC Hydro reveals contract prices for new power
Scott Simpson, Vancouver Sun, August 3, 2010
Independents contracted for average of $124 per megawatt hour for firm electricity
BC Hydro will pay an average $100 per megawatt hour in new electricity contracts with independent power producers, the Crown corporation said Tuesday.
Power producers also generate profits
Jack Moss, BCLocalNews, July 16, 2010
To the Editor,
Re: Green energy better than new dams, Letters, July 10.
David Field’s (B.C. Citizens for Green Energy) letter puts me in mind of Mark Twain’s caution that “There are liars, there are damn liars and then there are statisticians.”
Economic prosperity of first nations hangs in the balance
By Fred Glendale And Dallas Smith, Vancouver Sun, June 14, 2010
The Da'naxda'xw, K'omoks and Campbell River first nations have a vision to create one of the most sustainable clean energy developments in North America.
Anti–IPP campaign focuses on Wood River
Katie Findlay, Revelstoke Times Review, June 12, 2010
“Let’s look after our backyard,” said James Knoop at an event hosted by the North Columbia Environmental Society on Monday, June 7.
Power deal called good for province
Terrace Standard, June 09, 2010
BC HYDRO won’t reveal exactly how much it’s paying an Alberta company for the power to come from a large run-of-river project north of here, but says it’s within the range of what it’s paying companies elsewhere.
Wilderness Committee decries IPPs
Jenny Wagler/Staff Writer, Coast Reporter, June 4, 2010
The Western Canada Wilderness Committee (WCWC) decried independent power projects (IPPs) as “a scam of epic proportions” to a packed gathering of Coast residents at Roberts Creek Community Hall Thursday evening, May 27, at an event co-hosted by the Council of Senior Citizens Organizations of B.C. (COSCO).
Critics challenge special deal for new hydro project
SCOTT SIMPSON, Vancouver Sun, June 1, 2010
AltaGas gets unprecedented 60-year contract from BC Hydro
An unprecedented 60-year electricity purchase agreement between BC Hydro and AltaGas Income Trust has prompted some critics to decry the secrecy surrounding a $700-million run-of-river hydro project in northwest British Columbia.
BC government hit with lawsuit after rejecting independent power project
By SCOTT SIMPSON, Vancouver Sun, May 28, 2010
VANCOUVER — Proponents of a stalled $2.5 billion independent power project on the central British Columbia coast are suing the province in hopes of getting their 600 megawatt hydro development back on track.
Is This Any Way to Finance Clean Energy?
By Will McMartin, TheTyee.ca, 17 May 2010
BC Hydro borrows capital at 1 per cent, private power firms pay 12 per cent or more. Campbell chose builders sure to make green power far more expensive.
"Those who cannot remember the past are condemned to repeat it," wrote George Santayana, the Spanish-American philosopher.
Pollution worries halt Sechelt power project
SCOTT SIMPSON, Vancouver Sun, May 17, 2010
Company struggles with cloudy water while critics portray plant's problems as evidence of lax regulation
