HUDSON'S HOPE, BC, Sept. 9, 2014 /CNW/ - Today the District of Hudson's Hope held a briefing on the proposed $ 7.9 billion Site C Dam on the Peace River (Site C) releasing a backgrounder which sets out the reasons why Site C must be reviewed by the B.C. Utilities Commission.
The BC government is currently considering a confidential Site C report prepared by the government Environmental Assessment Office. To date, the BC government has refused to refer Site C to the B.C. Utilities Commission and is expected to decide whether to give the go ahead to the dam before October 22nd, 2014.
Hudson's Hope Mayor, Gwen Johansson notes:
"The BC government is considering committing British Columbia taxpayers and ratepayers to what could well be the largest public infrastructure expenditure in a generation: the estimated $7.9 billion Site C dam. | |||
However, despite repeated requests, the government is refusing to allow the B.C. Utilities Commission to conduct an independent and expert review of whether Site C is needed, or what this project might actually cost British Columbians." |
The only independent review to date, which was conducted by the federal/provincial Joint Review Panel, found that:
1) the need for Site C has not been established; | |||
2) the cost estimates and rate impacts for Site C could not be verified and need further scrutiny; | |||
3) Site C should not proceed without expert and independent review of the Project by the B.C. Utilities Commission. |
In July, Hudson's Hope released a report by Urban Systems Ltd., A Review of the Proposed Site C Clean Energy Project: Exploring the Alternatives and called on Premier Christy Clark to refer Site C to the B.C. Utilities Commission. Mayor Gwen Johansson notes:
"Our review of the Joint Review Panel findings, and the Urban Systems Report we commissioned, suggests alternatives to Site C could save billions of dollars in capital costs. British Columbians deserve an open, independent and expert review of the alternatives by the B.C.Utilities Commission. | |||
We are therefore asking, once again, that before destroying the remainder of the Peace River valley and adding a further $ 7.9 billion to the provincial debt for this project, that the BC government refer Site C to the BC Utilities Commission for an independent review - as per the Commission's long-established mandate as well as the recommendation of the Joint Review Panel." |
Backgrounder on B.C. Utilities Commission Review of Proposed Site C Dam Project
PDF available at: http://stream1.newswire.ca/media/2014/09/09/20140909_C8739_DOC_EN_42695.pdf
PDF available at: http://stream1.newswire.ca/media/2014/09/09/20140909_C8739_DOC_EN_42696.pdf
SOURCE: District of Hudson's Hope
For more information on the Urban Systems Report, contact John Kenney at 250-374-8311 or 250-819-5771
To contact Mayor Gwen Johansson, call 250-783-0820 or 250-686-6887
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