Would Mr. Vickers have the coal produced electricity go to waste, because in off peak times the generators would not be shut down whether it is used or not, producing the same pollution for less effect.

Surely it makes more sense to use a system which imports electricity at off peak times that is already being produced from generators which can't easily be turned off, then keep our own generating capacity for those peak times it is needed.

If BC were not to buy it, the coal would still be burned, so at least we are making the most use of the power, and making a little profit at the same time.

I have no inherent dislike of run of river generation, but I do think that it must respect the natural course of the river, and be implemented in a manner which preserves the fish and other wildlife. I agree that rerouting rivers into tunnels and then through generators into a lake should not be permitted. In any case, such schemes are surely not run of river projects, since they completely alter the river's run.

If we are importing power for our needs how is it that the state of California ows PowerX $300,000,000.00 for electric power? BC Hydro tells us that they import 15% from Alberta for export to the USA. But no one gives us the totals on how much is exported.

"Mair says he doesn’t blame the companies, they are doing what they are supposed to do and that is to make money. “ No labour costs no labour disputes just the clinking of the cash register.Isnt that a great reason to destroy our rivers. When will we learn to use our resources for our own good?

Cheers

Our rivers should remain 100% public. This run of the river idea should not even be up for debate IMO.

Any hydro generation either run of the river or otherwise should only be done through BC Hydro for the public benefit at the publics accountability. Anything else is selling out our provincial sovereignty for corporate (foreign and domestic) profits. Selling out our water resource and hydro systems in the province is simply not an acceptable option....

Will we still be allowed to access our rivers if this kind of thing goes forward. I doubt it for security reasons....

I found it quite amusing that Mr. Meisner was accusing Mr. Vickers for ducking questions when he was ducking questions fired right back at him.

Then a half-hearted apology from Mr. Meisner about 'beating the guy up'. There was a lot of dancing on both sides, but I'm not sure how much beating was going on.

"On the other side of the argument, Gene Vickers, of the B.C. Citizens Coalition for Green Energy. “Since 1990 B.C. has been a net importer of energy, there was only one year in which we produced as much as we used. In the other years, we imported dirty energy, coal produced power, is that acceptable to you?”
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Stop exporting our hydro electricity and the net importer problem disappears.

Where do they find these people? OMFG

The import/export of electricity can be and is manipulated by the powers that be, (remember the Enron fiasco?) to make it appear as though things are not good, only to help their case for run of river or other projects that are for nothing more than to make the rich richer.

Maybe I have my facts mixed up, but I was under the impression that Hydro buys power when it's cheap, and then when the price goes up, they ramp up production and export to make some cash?

Run of river power projects are great, if they do not affect the stream; Like for example the one on Ptarmigan Creek, east of PG. The two local men that built that (late 1980's I believe) sought and obtained permission for the project, and
got it built for a reasonable price. The installation does not drastically affect the stream, as it is built very close to the bottom of a waterfall, takes only a portion of the total water flow, then discharges it not too far downstream.
We do not have the famous flying trout here in the interior that could wing it to the top of the falls, so the fishery is not affected, to my knowledge.
There must be one or two other ares in B.C. where similar installations could be made, with minimal impact to the environment. One thing though, there are not many jobs created with this type of power generation.
metalman.

Want to make jobs? Build a big vertical wheel and stick people in it and when they start walking (in the same direction) the wheel turns and generates power. Plus the city could lower our taxes instead of wasting all that fosil energy building trails.

The way people are talking about needing a place to walk the wheel should have a line up waiting to get on every day.

Now even the environmentalists cant agree. One wants to build a hydro project, now the more extreme view is that isn't even good enough. What is good enough? The Stone Age? Then the province gets sick of it and builds Site C.

Companies live forever. People die. Guess who wins.

Why are we giving away our water and all our resources to companies? The way BC treats our resources has been equated to that similar to some 3rd world countries that trade resources for jobs without much compensation!

Anybody ever see a construction project employ more people after its built than during its construction. Don't take Mair to seriously as he doesn't put much thought or research into any of his comments.