Plugged In E-mail Newsletter | January 2005

In this issue:

1. Coalition Calls for a Moratorium on All Independent Power Projects in BC
2. Alcan wins on a technicality
3. Send an email to your MLA
4. Public Power Policies
5. Resources for the grassroots organizer
6. BC Citizens for Public Power hire new staff

Coalition Calls for a Moratorium on All Independent Power Projects in BC

BC Citizens for Public Power joined a coalition of local citizens and non-governmental organizations who recently called for an immediate moratorium on independent power projects in BC. The call was triggered by provincial government interference in the Squamish area Ashlu River power project process and widespread concern over poor planning and inadequate environmental standards relating to all independent power projects in BC.

BCCPP is concerned about the negative impact of the Government's policy of purchasing all newly generated electrical energy from privately owned, for profit Independent Power Producers (IPPs).

"We have low-cost energy in BC because in a public power system prices reflect the actual costs of production, not the prevailing - and much higher - market price." says John Calvert, BCCPP Board member.

BCCPP is also concerned about contracts with private power producers that ef fectively absorb any investment risk by guaranteeing a market and a price for their product. Calvert says, "The public is paying the costs of investments, including anticipated profits and yet when the contracts expire the public will have no assets and no control over the future price."

The coalition, comprising the BC Citizens for Public Power , the Upper Squamish Citizens Group, the Whitewater Kayaking Association of BC, experts in engineering, hydrology, and fisheries biology is calling for a moratorium on all independent power projects (IPPs) in BC until the government has:

* strong environmental laws in place,
* received input from local communities
* proper plans in place that include a study of the cumulative, long and short term impact of the projects.

A prime concern of the Coalition is the provincial government interference in the Squamish Lillooet Regional District re-zoning process. That interference caused the regional government to call a second Public Hearing on the issue so that a letter from George Abbott, could be part of their re-zoning consideration.

Of further concern to the Coalition is the provincial government's disregard for the recommendations in the recently completed Squamish Lillooet Land Resource Management Plan (LRMP). Stuart Smith, spokesperson for the Whitewater Kayaking Association of BC and Sea to Sky LRMP committee member says "I am very disappointed that the BC government chose to ignore local concerns. The government is supporting an industry position which advocates no planning."

Tom Rankin, spokesperson for the Upper Squamish Citizens Group wants the government to slow down and plan properly. Rankin wants community values to be respected and that the cumulative impact of IPPs is considered including long and short term social, environmental and economic impacts.

On January 11, the Squamish Lillooet Regional District Board voted against the rezoning application for the proposed power project on Ashlu Creek.

Alcan wins on a technicality
Regional economic development ignored
Kitimat vows to continue the fight

The District of Kitimat suffered a setback in its court challenge of Alcan's right to export power to the United States .

In a petition to the BC Supreme Court, Kitimat argued that Alcan's power sales to the United States contravene the smelter's water license and provisions of the provincial Industrial Development Act. That license gives the company access to public water in order to generate electricity to smelt aluminum.

The BC Court did not address Alcan's legal obligations. Instead it ruled that the District of Kitimat should pursue its legal action against the provincial government rather than the company because the regulations in question are under provincial jurisdiction.

The district's case says that Alcan's water license directs any power generated in excess of its production needs be used to support economic activity in the region.

It is unlikely that BC's Liberal government will side with Kitimat's community interests or uphold the water license terms.

"The BC Liberals don't understand the negative economic consequences of letting Alcan sell power to the US ' says John Calvert an energy specialist and member of the BCCPP Board . Those consequences include the likelihood that Alcan will reduce its smelting activity in favour or pursuing lucrative energy exports.

Calvert noted that this would cut jobs in Kitimat.

The District of Kitimat intends to continue its objection to Alcan's export of electricity. You can help Kitimat with this case. Call, write or email your MLA and tell them that you are not in favour of the BC Liberal private energy agenda.
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Send an email to your MLA
Tell them that the Power is YOURS and you want to Keep it Public

Your MLA needs to hear from you! Tell them you don't support the government's private energy strategy.

Public Power Policies

BC Citizens for Public Power promotes five basic policies to ensure an energy future that works for all.

1. Public ownership and control
2. Security and reliability of electricity
3. Conservation and green energy
4. Improved public oversight and accountability
5. Low Prices

The BCCPP works with and promotes these policies at the Union of British Columbia Municipalities (UBCM) with representatives from all regional, local and some First Nations governments. The UBCM has resolutions in support of public power policies. However, in order to protect and preserve our public power system these policies need to be adopted and acted on by the provincial government.

BC Citizens for Public Power calls on all provincial policy makers to commit to these policies and take positive supportive action that respects the stated will of the public as reflected in the 2003 UBCM resolutions. You can help. Ask your MLA to commit to public power policies.

Resources for the grassroots organizer

BC Citizens for Public Power website has some great resources for the public power grass roots organizer right here. You will find petitions, a report card and sample letters for your MLA and the Premier. There are posters and 'how to' organizing instructions.

If you plan to be active and ef fective in the upcoming provincial election, the Citizens for Public Power website is a good place to start and keep coming back to.

BC Citizens for Public Power hire new staff

BC Citizens has hired a projects manager to continue our outreach and awareness-raising programs as well as to make public power a major issue in the May 17 provincial election. Beverly Tanchak replaces former staff and will manage our fundraising, our ongoing programs and our campaign activities. Beverly has a background of advocacy for progressive public policy, has served in local government, and has extensive experience in event management and administration. We feel most fortunate that Beverly has accepted the position and we welcome her skills, enthusiasm, energy and connections to the issue of public power.