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Next Steps for the Site C Clean Energy Project – Environmental assessment process will begin early 2011
By Dave Conway
Wednesday July 07, 2010 In April of this year, the provincial government announced that the Site C Clean Energy Project will advance to an environmental and regulatory review, which includes an independent environmental assessment process.
BC Hydro anticipates formally entering the pre-application stage of the environmental assessment process in early 2011 with the submission of a project description.
As part of the environmental assessment for Site C, there will be opportunities for consultation and input by the public, communities, First Nations, property owners and stakeholders.
In addition, during the environmental assessment process, BC Hydro will identify potential environmental and socio-economic effects from the project. Where impacts cannot be avoided, BC Hydro will identify and evaluate options for mitigation.
Prior to the environmental assessment process, BC Hydro will:
Refine and update the historic Site C project design to reflect current environmental, seismic and safety guidelines.
Transition environmental and socio-economic studies from baseline work to effects assessment.
Continue consultation and engagement with Aboriginal groups.
Continue to engage with communities, community relations and communications, including keeping the public, stakeholders, communities, and property owners informed about the project.
Prepare for the pre-application phase of the environmental assessment.
With Site C, BC Hydro is planning now so that British Columbians will continue to enjoy the benefits of secure, reliable and affordable electricity in the future. Site C will be a source of clean and renewable electricity for more than 100 years--it will provide enough electricity to power more than 400,000 homes per year in B.C.
Construction of Site C is subject to environmental certification and ensuring that the Crown’s constitutional duties to First Nations are met.
To learn more about the Site C project, please visit www.bchydro.com/sitec.
Note: The regulatory review is expected to take two years, and it is anticipated that Site C will be available for domestic electricity need by 2020.
Site C will be a third dam and hydroelectric generating station on the Peace River in northeast B.C.
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