What's in store for BC's wild rivers?
Big changes are in the air in British Columbia, and now more than ever we need your help to protect BC’s wild rivers!
Right now the BC government is considering redefining the definition of electricity “self-sufficiency.” This is major news, because it’s long overdue that the BC Government abandon this badly flawed concept.
At first glance “self-sufficiency” sounds like a brilliant idea – until you realize it is based on BC Hydro having to plan as if every year is a critical low water year. This forces BC Hydro to purchase far more electricity than we need in BC. The current bloated definition of “self-sufficiency” is the rocket fuel that drives BC Hydro to purchase private hydropower.
It is too soon to know if the provincial government will do the right thing and stand up for BC Hydro and our wild rivers. However, even if they do decide to change the definition of “self-sufficiency,” there are still dozens of wild rivers at risk that need your help.
Rivers such Kokish, Upper Lillooet and Stave have been staked by companies who already have energy purchase agreements with BC Hydro, and these rivers are in imminent danger of being dammed and diverted into pipes.
Altogether, over 800 creeks, rivers and lakes have been staked by private power companies in BC. Our wild rivers are threatened by rock bottom environmental standards combined with a complete lack of planning and the huge financial impact to BC Hydro and ratepayers - $30 billion dollars and counting.
All this has led tens of thousands of British Columbians to stand up for wild rivers and to say “No” to poorly planned private power.
This power was never even intended for BC; it was meant to be sold south of the border. The only problem is the fact that California does not consider “run-of-river” power to be green and they won’t pay a premium for it. Now BC is left with power we don’t need and that will be sold at a huge loss on the open market.
California’s rejection of “run-of-river” power has caused a seismic shift in BC, finally leading the provincial government to reconsider the wisdom of subsidizing private corporations like US giant General Electric.
While the facts are on our side, proponents of privatizing and piping BC’s rivers and streams have big money on their side and they have launched a media and advertising blitz.
With your help, over the next couple of months we will be alerting people to stand up for these wild rivers and work to ensure that they continue to run free – now and into the future. Wild rivers in Bute Inlet, the Upper Pitt and the Kootenays are still running free because people like you stepped up and spoke out.
For more information on BC’s wild rivers and “self-sufficiency”, check out this editorial I wrote for the Province and a recent Vancouver Sun article about what the Head of BC Hydro said regarding unneeded private power.
Together we can do green energy right – with conservation first, strong democratic processes, proper planning, high environmental standards and a healthy viable BC Hydro.
Stay tuned for future updates!
Gwen Barlee | Policy Director
Wilderness Committee
