FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE - April 23, 2008

New dam megaproject announced 18-Dam Project, Roads, Transmission Lines Proposed for Pristine Wilderness in Bute Inlet



Burnaby, BC ­ Community, environmental, and labour groups are renewing their call for a government moratorium on private power projects in the wake of the announcement that Plutonic Power is proceeding with a massive hydroelectric project with 18 dams in pristine Bute Inlet. These groups are also calling on Plutonic Power to hold several community consultations, including in major population centres.

“Lets be clear: this is not green power,” said Joe Foy of the Western Canada Wilderness Committee. “When you build 18 dams, as well as roads, bridges, and transmission lines in salmon country and grizzly habitat without adequate public environmental oversight, you have no right to cloak yourself in a green veneer,” said Foy.

“If the government was prepared to rule that the Upper Pitt private power projects were not in the public interest, how can they possibly claim that a project that is three times bigger is?” asked Foy.

“Plutonic Power and the BC government need to make sure that the people of British Columbia have their say, and this includes holding public meetings and community consultations in surrounding communities, and also in population centres like Vancouver,” said Andy Ross, President of the Canadian Office and Professional Employees Union Local 378 (COPE 378).

“This is a province-wide issue, facilitated by a faulty and politicized Energy Plan, and the government needs to impose an immediate moratorium so that British Columbians can determine if these privately owned magaprojects are actually in the public interest,” added Ross.

Plutonic Power is planning a total of 40 dams and weirs in the region, which includes Bute Inlet and the Toba Inlet, north of Powell River. The projects will involve a 360 kV transmission line possibly through old growth management areas, and will also involve numerous roads and bridges in the area.

In Plutonics press release announcing this development, CEO Donald McInnes is quoted saying that a higher voltage line is being used “to address the potential of accommodation of future projects,” indicating that the company plans even more power projects in this area.

“Private power companies are looking at our region with the zeal of a gold rush prospector,” said Denise Reinhardt of Malaspina Communities for Public Power in Powell River. “But this ecosystem is at its breaking point, and Plutonic is indicating that they just plan to keep going building more dams and more transmission lines, regardless of its impacts,” added Reinhardt.

Conclusive research by SFU Economist Dr Marvin Shaffer has shown that there is no need to rush to develop these facilities, and that private run-of-river projects cost too much, provide inconsistent electricity, and have major environmental impacts.

Community, environmental, and labour groups are calling on Plutonic and the BC government to hold public consultation in the communities nearby Bute Inlet, and also in major population centres including Vancouver and Victoria. They are also calling for a government moratorium on these projects.

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For more information:
Mike Bruce, COPE 378, 604.812.9049
Joe Foy, Western Canada Wilderness Committee, 604.880.2580