Canucks players Mitchell, Morrison join NDP in bid to protect wilderness sanctuary MARK HUME From Tuesday's Globe and Mail April 1, 2008 at 4:23 AM EDT VANCOUVER — A public outcry over a hydro proposal on the Pitt River has sparked a call by the NDP for a moratorium on all private power projects in the province until an inquiry can be held. NDP Leader Carole James made the request yesterday after the government suddenly withdrew a motion that called on the House to voice support for independent power projects, or IPPs, in British Columbia. Ms. James said the Liberals pulled the motion because of the controversy that flared last week when more than 1,000 people showed up at a public hearing on a proposal to build seven linked IPPs on tributaries of the Pitt - a wilderness fishing river just outside Vancouver that counts among its fans several star players from the Vancouver Canucks. "The overwhelming public opposition to the run-of-the-river project on the Upper Pitt River shows the government should stop this process until we have a full, independent investigation," Ms. James said. "We've seen quite clearly that [the] government's energy plan has failed communities and restricted B.C. Hydro. It does not give enough consideration to public input, to the environmental impact, nor does it address the broader question about how these projects would fit into B.C.'s public energy plan." Ms. James said a legislative committee or an independent commissioner should be appointed to hold provincewide hearings to allow the public to comment on all aspects of the power policy that has led to the flood of IPP proposals in B.C. "The public doesn't feel they have had a say with IPPs in this province," she said. She said the motion by Randy Hawes, the chief government Whip, was to have come forward for debate yesterday - but it was withdrawn without warning because the Pitt River controversy had generated so much heat around the IPP issue. "Clearly, this government is embarrassed and sees they're heading in the wrong direction," Ms. James said. "Now that they've seen the public reaction, they're hiding from public debate about their agenda to bring in privatized power. But hundreds of projects are still on the table. We're saying 'let's stop this process until we have a full independent investigation.' " Mr. Hawes said the motion was deferred "to provide some separation" between the wider issue of IPPs and the specific controversy surrounding the Pitt project, which would have involved a power line through a provincial park. He said the government remains committed to IPPs and that the NDP shouldn't be opposed to them in general unless they have a better idea of how B.C. can meet its energy needs. "I really hope the NDP are prepared to come forward with some alternatives," he said. "What are they suggesting? Nuclear power?" The proposed project on the Pitt River was thrown into question last week when B.C. Environment Minister Barry Penner announced the province would not allow Northwest Cascade Power Ltd. to put a power line through Pinecone Burke Provincial Park. Jako Krushnisky, president and CEO of Run of River Power Inc., whose subsidiary Northwest Cascade Power was developing the project, was taken aback by the government's decision and said the company is considering its options. Meanwhile, opposition to the Pitt River project has continued to grow. Dan Gerak, owner of a fishing resort on the river, said the government clearly misjudged the public mood on IPPs. "The opposition to the proposal was just incredible," he said. "People were lining up to fight against it." Among those who contacted him recently to offer support were Canucks players Willie Mitchell and Brendan Morrison, who recently fished the river with several teammates. The government began promoting IPPs in 2002 as a way to augment B.C. Hydro's production in order to meet a growing demand for power. There are about 35 IPPs now operating, with 60 more coming on line. | 
