Williams Lake Tribune,
01-Apr-2008
Editor:
The letter by Van Andruss is almost a textbook case of the misinformation about run of river that’s circulating the province.
He says more than 500 applications have been made and ‘some say 700.’ He’s presumably referring to water licence applications. About 480 have been requested since 1990. The water licence application is the first step in a series of studies, reviews and consultations that takes years. Most applications never make it. So much for the allegation that there’s inadequate environmental assessment or community consultation.
Contrary to Mr. Andruss’s remark, this long, slow process is hardly a ‘gold rush.’ That term is, however, frequently made by those who defend the status quo.
Mr. Andruss claims independent energy will cause our electricity rates to ‘skyrocket’ while BC Hydro can provide ‘cheap’ energy. Our rates will increase, but they won’t ‘skyrocket.’ The increase won’t be caused by independents. BC Hydro drastically needs maintenance, replacement and expansion of its aging infrastructure. Our province badly needs new sources of electricity. They will cost money to develop.
Mr. Andruss claims we don’t need more electricity. We do. We currently import about 15 per cent of our electricity. Even with impressive conservation goals, our electricity needs will increase up to 45 per cent over the next 20 years.
The alternative is to risk our finances, environment and energy security on a dwindling supply of imported electricity from polluting coal-fired plants in Alberta and the U.S.
Mr. Andruss claims taxpayers will pay the cost of new development. Actually the independent operators pay the cost and take the risk. All those water licence applications that never succeeded involved expensive research. The run of river projects now in operation pay back at least a third of their revenues to the public in fees and taxes. On top of this they’re responsible for re-investment to maintain and upgrade infrastructure, something BC Hydro has neglected for decades.
Mr. Andruss claims independent companies will ‘own’ rivers. They’ll do nothing of the kind. If their project is approved, they get temporary permission to use a waterway. That permission expires after a maximum of 40 years. Then the province may renew the permission, transfer it to another company, take over the operation itself or shut it down.
Mr. Andruss claims this is a conspiracy to sell energy to the U.S. The projects that get approval have long-term contracts with BC Hydro. The contracts expire roughly around the time their water licence expires. They will jeopardize their chances of renewal if they won’t sell to British Columbians at reasonable rates.
Mr. Andruss asks who benefits, always a vital question. We benefit and, more importantly, future generations of British Columbians will benefit. B.C. has some of the world’s greatest potential for clean electricity sources like run of river, wind, ocean and geothermal. By following the experience of other countries who have led the way, we can create an international example of sustainable electricity. This will be a wonderful legacy for our environment and for future generations.
The alternative would be to serve the status quo at the expense of our environment and energy security. Who would benefit from that?
For more information, please see our website, www.greenenergybc.ca. The issues Mr. Andruss addresses are covered in a webpage called Straight Answers to Reactionary Myths.
Bruce Sanderson
BC Citizens for Green Energy
IPPs threaten B.C.’s streams and rivers
March 27, 2008 Williams Lake Tribune Editor:
I am alarmed at the latest government scheme to privatize the public assets of our beloved province. I’m referring to Independent Power Projects, or IPPs. Conceived behind closed doors, the plan is to exploit the hydro-power potential of our streams and rivers. More than 500 applications have been submitted already (some say 700).
They say the response is like a second gold rush. You might have thought we were doing pretty well with power from BC Hydro, and indeed we were. BC Hydro power is cheap compared with most places in the world. If these projects go through, the price of electricity will skyrocket.
Under the new scheme, BC Hydro is promised to buy all the private power it can get. The government (ultimately, that’s us) will finance the construction of the projects. Then, after twenty to forty years, the private investors will be free to sell to whomever and wherever they like, in perpetuity, and will commence to own the river rights and infrastructure. Where you once walked freely, now you are a trespasser.
Just to give you an idea of the bogus economics involved: new private power will cost BC Hydro $100/per-megawatt-hour versus $5/mwh raw cost today. They will continue to sell to large industries at approx. $35/mwh, and export power at $50/mwh (spot market price). In other words, they will sell at a loss!
But never mind, the tax-payer will make up the difference, along with increased rates. Further to the plan — this one is totally baffling — BC Hydro (our particular power project) is disallowed from undertaking any new power projects for public consumption. We also note that IPPs, while touted as “green,” are being permitted without environmental impact assessments. Under 49 Megawatts, an environmental assessment is not required. No wonder most projects claim to be under the mark.
The Ashlu River IPP near Squamish illustrates how undemocratically the plan is being implemented. When the people of the Squamish area finally heard about the project, they rushed to the river’s defense. A public meeting was called. People stood up and railed against the proposal before the Squamish-Lillooet Regional District. Eighty to 90 per cent of the speakers were dead against it. Responding to the outcry, the SLRD rejected the necessary re-zoning in a vote nine to one.
Then a most astonishing thing happened. Almost immediately along came Bill 30, an obscure piece of legislation, dug up from somewhere in the books, denying municipalities or regional districts the right of refusal. Thus the local residents were promptly disempowered, big machinery rolled in, and work went ahead. No entry was allowed to the public. Fences and security guards blocked the way. My question is: By what authority is this government flogging our rivers and streams? And who gave government the right to hamstring BC Hydro and to peddle our principal energy system at a loss?
Already our provincial heritage has been reduced by giveaways – forests, highways, railroads, pipelines. All along it has been my impression that the people of B.C. own these treasures. They belong to us, collectively, not to government employees. Accordingly, they should never be sold off without a proper public evaluation and a clear mandate. In fact a proposal of the magnitude of this current IPP project should not proceed without a public referendum.
I would like to remind this government that we live here in a democracy. In a democracy, elected officials are to be regarded as public servants, whose business it is to represent our best interests. Furthermore, we don’t need any more electricity in the province. The call for new hydro projects is aimed at selling power down south. You might wonder along with me what advantage this is to us, at the sacrifice of our rivers and streams? Who’s to benefit? Construction companies, corporate investors (not necessarily Canadian), and, as always, banks, yes; but the people of BC?
One last word. Before going into office, Gordon Campbell promised that BC Hydro would not be privatized. I hope we’ll keep this in mind next time we go to the polls. If the IPP scam strikes you as too farfetched to believe, check the net at www.hydrofactsbc.ca. Get substantial facts as well from www.SaveO urRivers.ca, particularly the case of the Ashlu River IPP.
If you’re in the mood to dash off a letter, write the man who issues IPP permits: Matthew Simons, Senior Resource Office, Integrated Land Management Bureau, 210-301 Victoria St, Kamloops, BC. V2V 2A3. Van Andruss 
