The Wilderness Committee reports that, “Late last week we got word that the Glacier Howser project has lost its energy purchase agreement with BC Hydro. … The citizens of Kaslo and Nelson, and all of those who wrote letters (to British Columbia Environmental Assessment office) to keep Glacier and Howser creeks (in the Kootenays) wild know the power of the pen.”
BC-Yukon organizer Harjap Grewal highlights that the Golden and Nelson chapters of the Council of Canadians were heavily involved in this campaign, and that this work also in part led to the formation of our new Columbia Valley chapter.
The Nelson Star reported yesterday that, “The Glacier Howser project calls for diversion of water from both creeks and running a 90 km transmission line across the Purcell Mountains. It would generate about 100 megawatts of power. Opponents say the project would hurt grizzly bears, caribou, and fish.”
The Pacific Free Press adds that, “The 40-year energy purchase agreement for a proposed 5-river diversion project, near the town of Meadow Creek, was obtained back in 2006 by Axor Group, of the wealthy Dupont family, long before the environmental assessment process that would see thousands of citizens turn out in opposition to the proposal and a record-breaking thousand-plus submissions to the environmental assessment office.”
The Star notes, “The proponent behind the Glacier Howser independent power project says it has cancelled an energy purchase agreement with BC Hydro. But while Axor Corp. intends to sign a new deal, critics claim it’s another nail in the project’s coffin.”
The Nelson Star report is at http://www.bclocalnews.com/kootenay_rockies/nelsonstar/news/108231074.html. The Pacific Free Press article is at http://www.pacificfreepress.com/news/1/7364-saying-qnoq-to-the-duponts-glacier-howser-canceled.html.
