Government Pulls the Plug on Private River Power Projects
Gwen Barlee, Wilderness Committee, 06Feb2012
The BC government’s announcement last Friday that it is axing BC Hydro’s electricity self-sufficiency and insurance requirement should dramatically reduce the demand for private power projects and keep scores of wild rivers out of pipes.
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.
Jumbo, Glacier/Howser still in limbo: new Major Projects BC website
by Editor, Nelson Daily, 09 Oct 2011
Jumbo Glacier Resort is now listed as inactive while Glacier Howser Energy’s hydroelectric dam is suspended, according to the new Major Projects BC website released late last week.
Site C begins environmental assessment process by panel review
News Release, CEAA, September 30, 2011
Site C Clean Energy Project Environmental Assessment Process and Draft Agreement Released for Public Comment
Rio Tinto Alcan revisits Nechako Valley tunnel
WENDY STUECK, Globe and Mail, Jul. 19, 2011
Rio Tinto Alcan has proposed finishing a tunnel that was bored about halfway of its intended distance as part of the Kemano Completion Project, which the provincial government killed in 1995 over environmental concerns.
Deal aims to resurrect B.C.’s Bute Inlet hydroelectric project
JUSTINE HUNTER, Globe and Mail, Jul. 14, 2011
Hoping to resurrect an ambitious run-of-the-river project that would rival the capacity of BC Hydro’s proposed Site C dam, Alterra Power will sign a partnership agreement with the Homalco First Nation on Friday, handing the tiny band $1.5-million in exchange for an agreement that would allow the Bute Inlet hydroelectric project to proceed in its traditional territory.
Chile court suspends Patagonian HidroAysén dam project
BBC News, June 20, 2011
A court in Chile has ordered the suspension of a multi-billion-dollar dam project in the south of the country, following objections by legislators and environmentalists.
Hydro power's dirty side
By William Marsden, Postmedia News April 15, 2011
Nicolas Boisclair and Alexis de Gheldere photographed the river's magnificence — its raging waters, its hurtling falls, its woodland caribou, black bears, moose, salmon and trout, its spectacular mountain vistas and rocky cliffs, and dense forested valleys — capturing the river's last moments before the machines moved in. Their film, Chercher le courant, will be archived as a record of a lost world
Bute Inlet Review Panel disbanded; New panel to be appointed if EA continues
Public Notice, Canadian Environmental Assessment Agency, March 18, 2011
BUTE INLET HYDROELECTRIC PROJECT - REVIEW PANEL DISBANDED
The Panel established under the Canadian Environmental Assessment Act (the Act) to conduct the environmental assessment of the proposed Bute Inlet Hydroelectric Project (the project) in British Columbia has been disbanded.
John Hart project has billion dollar price tag
By Kristen Douglas, Campbell River Mirror, March 10, 2011
BC Hydro will be investing more than one billion dollars in Campbell River.
The latest estimate has the company spending $1.35 billion on the John Hart Generating Station replacement project.
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.”
Hoover Dam could stop generating electricity as soon as 2013, officials fear
By ERIC WOLFF, North County Times - Californian, September 11, 2010
Dropping water levels imperil power flowing to Southern California
BC Hydro pursuing multi-billion dollar dam upgrade program
BIV Business Today, 27 August 2010
When Bill Bennett was appointed B.C.’s minister of energy, mines and petroleum resources in June, one of the first questions he asked the executive team of BC Hydro was: If you tally up all the energy projects in development in B.C., including Site C, including the independent power producers that have energy purchase agreements and including all the scheduled dam expansions, will B.C. attain energy self sufficiency?
NWT pushes for water agreement
Jack Danylchuk, August 13, 2010
Yellowknife - Public hearings into a $6.6 billion hydro-electric dam on the Peace River in British Columbia are still a year away, but the Northwest Territories and Alberta have given notice that they will take a hard line on the project and future use of Mackenzie River basin water.
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.
B.C. looks at hydro expansion on Columbia River system
SCOTT SIMPSON, Vancouver Sun, July 27, 2010
Deadline looming for project near Trail
The British Columbia government continues to give serious consideration to a major hydroelectric expansion project on the Columbia River system.
Site C dam generates flood of friction
Steve Carey, Times Colonist, July 25, 2010
Flooding a valley of farmland for B.C. Hydro's Peace River Valley project is an environmental shame, critics say
Nicola Lake independent power project waiting for approval
JENNIFER GOSSOO, Merritt News, July 19,2010
Concern over endangered steelhead trout
Development could be underway next year to transfer Nicola lake water to a reservoir in the Okanagan should the BCUC grant FortisBC's water license application.
BC Hydro faces severe drought on Peace River
Scott Simpson, Vancouver Sun, July 14, 2010
Dry June blamed for $220-million purchase of imported power
Severe drought conditions in northeast British Columbia have BC Hydro bracing for a $220-million increase in electricity imports this fiscal year.
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.
