B.C. power producers have high number of compliance issues
Canadian Press, Globe and Mail, May 2 2013
Internal government documents show a startling number of compliance issues with British Columbia’s independent power producers and say the province does not have the staff to monitor the projects.
The Rise of Independent Power Producers, Explained
Colleen Kimmett, TheTyee.ca, April 30 2013
They split the enviro vote in 2009, but can they still spark trouble across the province?
BC issues investigative licences for waterpower projects
Laura Walz, Powell River Peak, January 30, 2013
Alterra receives 20 for Bute Inlet and five for Toba Inlet
BC’s government has issued over two dozen investigative licences to Alterra Power Corporation for waterpower projects.
Alterra Power and Fiera Axium Infrastructure Announce Partnership in Toba Montrose and Dokie 1 Facilities
News Release, Alterra & Fiera Axium, December 12 2012
VANCOUVER - Alterra Power Corp. (TSX: AXY) and Fiera Axium Infrastructure are pleased to announce that they are now partners at the 235 MW Toba Montrose run-of-river hydro facility and the 144 MW Dokie 1 wind farm in British Columbia, effective December 7. A consortium of Canadian investors led by Fiera Axium purchased GE Energy Financial Services' partnership interests, and now owns a 60% interest in Toba Montrose and a 49% interest in Dokie 1. Alterra's ownership interests in these facilities are unchanged at 40% and 51% respectively.
Rockslide damages power project
Laura Walz, Powell River Peak, December 19, 2012
Montrose plant may be offline until spring
A large rockslide has damaged the 88-megawatt Montrose hydroelectric facility in the Toba Valley.
Locked out workers question gas plant’s safety
Brian Kieran, Campbell River Mirror, November 06, 2012
Locked out employees of Campbell River’s Island Generation Plant say BC Hydro should be alarmed about potential safety issues at the natural gas-fired facility.
A wolf lurks at edge of IPP ‘green’ projects
Gwen Barlee, Vancouver Sun, September 17, 2012
When I was growing up my mother used to warn me to look out for a wolf in sheep’s clothing. What she meant was to be cautious about people and situations that are not what they seem. This idiom aptly applies to the issue of independent power projects (IPPs) in British Columbia.
Critics launch court action, release e-mail scathing B.C.’s environmental assessment process
Larry Pynn, Vancouver Sun, August 23, 2012
B.C’s environmental assessment process is so flawed it cannot hope to fill the void created by the federal government walking away from assessments of almost 500 projects, critics charged Wednesday, while launching court action and releasing a scathing internal government email.
BC Liberals Put Massive Great Bear Rainforest Private Power Project Back on Table
Damien Gillis, TheCanadian.org, June 14 2012
First Nations group defends power project
Dan MacLennan, Campbell River Courier-Islander, June 13, 2012
A group of North Island First Nations is defending a contentious run-of-river power project, saying the NDP's opposition to the project is misinformed.
Liberals break their word, set to revive Klinaklini power project
News Release, BC NDP, June 7, 2012
CAMPBELL RIVER – After stating clearly that the boundaries of the Great Bear Rainforest would not be changed to allow a massive independent power project to move ahead, the B.C. Liberals have broken their word and passed legislation that does just that, say New Democrats.
Clean energy exports lose steam
By Vaughn Palmer, Vancouver Sun, June 5, 2012
Two years after the B.C. Liberals pushed BC Hydro to develop clean energy for export, the drive is all but dead, a victim of the changing economics of the North American electricity market.
Bill 49 - Protected Areas of British Columbia Amendment Act, 2012 - Hansard - In Committee
Hansard, May 31 2012
Bill 49 - Protected Areas of British Columbia Amendment Act, 2012 - Hansard - Second Reading
Hansard, May 30 2012
Debate in the Legislature on the second reading of Bill 49 focussed on the removal of a section of the Dzawadi–Upper Klinaklini River conservancy to accommodate the design plans for the Klinaklini Hydroelectric Project. Rob Fleming, Michael Sather, and Claire Trevena led the debate and were quite informative.
EcoLogo plans to get tougher on run-of-river projects
By Larry Pynn, Vancouver Sun May 17, 2012
A standards review of the more than 30 certified operations should be done later this year, but critics say too many fry are dying
Hydro awash in private power
By Scott Simpson, Vancouver Sun, May 11, 2012
B.C. Producers running flat out
After a bumper year for precipitation in the Pacific Northwest, BC Hydro stations around British Columbia are sitting idle while independent power producers run flat out.
Mercer International seeks NAFTA ruling on Hydro's electricity pricing policies
By GORDON HAMILTON, Vancouver Sun, May 1, 2012
Pulp company Mercer International has filed a $250 million claim against Canada under the North American Free Trade Agreement claiming it is being placed at a competitive disadvantage by BC Hydro.
Power Project a Go for Kokish River
by Wilderness Committee, Pacific Free Press, April 26, 2012
Power project goes ahead despite lack of final OK
Judith Lavoie, Times Colonist, April 25, 2012
A controversial hydroelectric project on northern Vancouver Island is poised to start construction, even though the Department of Fisheries and Oceans has not given an official goahead.
New run-of-river eco-concerns raised
Rebecca Aldous, Squamish Chief, March 16, 2012
After uncovering alarming information on Sea to Sky Corridor run-of-river power plants, a B.C.-based environmental organization is again calling for a moratorium to cap the industry.
Power project plan puts Kokish on endangered list
By Larry Pynn, Vancouver Sun, March 12, 2012
Renowned fishing spot ties for first place in annual B.C survey
Run-of-river power projects kill fish
Larry Pynn, Vancouver Sun, March 10, 2012
Freedom-of-information documents detail death of salmon, steelhead due to water fluctuations
The Mamquam River pours cold and fresh off the Coast Mountains, forming pools and canyons and chutes of white water on its way to the Squamish River and Howe Sound.
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.
Tyson Creek ‘experiment’ ought not to be repeated
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.
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.
