PEOPLE POWER is a six-chaper 50 minute DVD designed to help activists launch grassroots community-based campaigns to protect public power and the environment.
Plugged In - BCCPP eNews May 2010
What's New
Several significant developments in BC’s electricity sector have attracted widespread public and media attention in recent weeks:
SITE C
-The BC government announced its approval to move forward on Phase 3 of the proposed Site C hydro project on the Peace River in the northern interior of BC. There is ongoing debate surrounding the merits and disadvantages of constructing the Site C dam. BCCPP’s position is more complex than issuing a simple statement in favour or opposition to the government’s announcement.
-Our organization has historically supported clean/green public power projects to meet BC’s domestic energy requirements. However, the government’s failure to commission an impartial assessment to forecast BC’s electricity needs raises many concerns about the intended purpose of this electricity.
-For a long time, the debate was between publicly-owned Site C OR multiple (potentially hundreds) of private power projects. Now, it seems, the government is advocating for both. A decision to pursue both Site C AND hundreds of smaller scale private power projects suggests that the larger dam is being considered to firm up energy provided through these river diversion projects; so, Site C as a public power project simply means that BC ratepayers once again are subsidizing the private power industry. BCCPP supports public power in principle, but that principle is generally tied to the perceived public good of a project. And, at this point, there are still some outstanding questions about the government’s intentions with respect to Site C. We will continue to advocate for public green energy and be diligent in our watchdog efforts.
Read the Vancouver Sun OpED by BCCPP founding Board Chair Marjorie Griffin Cohen
And visit BC Guardians to read a range of viewpoints on the issue.
BC CLEAN ENERGY ACT
The BC Government released its proposed Clean Energy Act in the Legislature on April 28th. Response from energy sector experts, public power supporters, environmentalists, and other allied groups has been highly critical as the provincial government appears more determined than ever to dismantle BC’s Crown utility and privatize the province’s electricity sector and precious natural resources. More information about the act several opinion pieces are provided in the links below:
- Read the Clean Energy Act
- BCCPP Board member and Liquid Gold author, John Calvert on Bill C-17: BC’s Clean Energy Act
- Marvin Shaffer on Bill C-17: BC’s Clean Energy Act
Resources
A recent posting on REXpert Opinions—BCCPP's blog, featuring Rex Weyler—elaborates on the "false assumptions" about the need for new sources of energy in BC: the first of 12 problems with the BC Energy Plan that Rex identifies in his first blog submission.
Read Rex's blog posting “Does BC need more energy?”
In production: BCCPP’s instructional DVD for grassroots activists on creating community-based public power campaigns. Topics include:
- tips and tools for community organizing
- coalition building: collaborating with environmental activists, labour organizations, citizens' groups, First Nations, and other allies
- countering opposition: tools and techniques to respond to strategies typically used by the government, private power industry, and "astroturf" groups
Watch for the launch and release of this project this summer and a provincial tour in the Fall.
PUBLIC MEETINGS: KOOTENAY REGION
Speaking on behalf of BC Citizens for Public Power, Rex Weyler will join forces with allies from the Western Canada Wilderness Committee to present at a series of public meetings in the Kootenays in the coming weeks. Presentations are planned for:
- Vernon: May 31st
- Nelson: June 1st
- Invermere: June 2nd
- Golden: June 3rd
Details to follow on the events section of BCCPP’s website.
FREEDOM OF INFORMATION REQUEST
BCCPP was ultimately granted a partial fee waiver (20% of the total cost) in response to its formal request, under the Freedom of Information and Protection Privacy Act, for access to the communications and public submissions to the province’s Green Energy Advisory Task Force. The request involves records from the Ministry of the Environment as well as the Ministry of Energy, Mines, and Petroleum Resources. We will notify our campaign supporters once we receive this information.
Donations to BCCPP to help offset our costs would be gratefully received.
HYDRO UNION PUSHES BACK
Media Contact:
Lori Winstanley 778.828.4039
For Immediate Release
April 7, 2010
Andy Ross, president of the Canadian Office and Professional Employees Union, local 378, has called upon the Honourable Blair Lekstrom, Minister responsible for BC Hydro, to assure British Columbians that a government-appointee to the Crown Corporation’s board of directors is not in a conflict of interest following a story published Monday, April 5th on TheTyee.ca.
(Vancouver Law Firm a Big Player in BC Hydro's Clean Energy Call--partner sits on BC Hydro board).
We Need Your Help
In order to continue our valuable work, BCCPP needs ongoing financial support. We are seeking 500 new or existing donors to join our team of PUBLIC DEFENDERS by contributing $10 per month.
Monthly donors provide a stable revenue stream while reducing administrative costs. Small monthly gifts also add to significant support over the year.
Reporting on Our Progress
To demonstrate our accountability to supporters like you, we have produced BCCPP's Two Year Progress Report which summarizes our activities and financial position for the fiscal years 2008 and 2009. The report highlights our key accomplishments over the past two years, along with some of our strategic program plans moving forward. Read BCCPP's Two Year Progress Report
Stay plugged-in and energized on this issue!