September 1, 2010

Residents’ opposition to Glacier-Howser is clear; project should not proceed

GOLDEN – Despite the clear opposition of Kootenay residents, the Environmental Assessment Office has received further application from AXOR to proceed with the Glacier – Howser power project. 

“I attended the Environmental Assessment public hearing in Invermere in June of 2009 and the opposition to the project was overwhelming,” said Columbia River – Revelstoke MLA Norm Macdonald.  “There was no doubt in that room how the people felt, and the Environmental Assessment Office needs to take that opposition into account.”

AXOR proposes a 100 megawatt river-diversion project in the West Kootenay and will result in the building of transmission lines across the Purcell Mountains to the Invermere sub-station.

“There is nothing about this project that makes sense.  There is no proof that it is in the public interest even though it is our Crown land and our water that will be used to make a profit for this company.”

Private river-diversion projects have only become viable in British Columbia with the introduction of the BC Liberal Energy Plan which requires BC Hydro to purchase power from independent power producers through long-term energy purchase agreements at rates far above the market average.

“The Environment Minister needs to respond to the people of the Kootenays and put a stop to this project once and for all.”