Highway 37 Power Line Talk Sparks Positive Reaction
By 250 News
Friday, September 11, 2009 03:58 AM
Prince George, B.C.- The Highway 37 Powerline Coalition is taking note of what they see as positive signs the Province is showing interest in seeing a power line along the highway 37 corridor.
The most recent speech from the throne, read by Lieutenant-Governor Steven Point, mentioned the transmission line " A new transmission line along Highway 37 will replace dirty diesel power in First Nations communities, open new opportunities in mining and clean power production and create job opportunities throughout the Skeena Region."
The Province is already committed to spending $10 million dollars on work leading up to an environmental assessment, and had previously committed to sharing the cost of the construction of the line with private sector partners. The province had committed to spending $250 million on construction of the line with Nova Gold picking up the balance, but that was all put on hold when Nova Gold stepped away from it’s Galore Creek project because of skyrocketing construction costs for the mine.
Byng Geraud, General Secretary of the Highway 37 Powerline Coalition says while the Coalition plans to hold the Province to its original commitment of $250 million, he is encouraged by the recognition given to the power line in the Speech from the Throne. “With gas royalties down, mining is one of the bright lights in the B.C. resource economy right now.”
Provincial Energy Minister Blair Lekstrom has been quoted as saying he may lobby his cabinet colleagues for the dollars to build the line.
Geraud says from his own perspective, it is encouraging to see that the Province recognizes the importance of the power line, and efforts continue to find funding for its construction.”We continue to talk with our Federal reps and with the private sector, we don’t think this is something the Province should have to carry all on its own.”
Geraud says he sees positive changes in the economy which will help many of the proposed projects in the north west highway 37 corridor proceed “Gold is near $1,000 and copper is up too.” He says those prices are helping companies secure the financing necessary to move ahead.
In the meantime, Geraud is buoyed by indications from the Province that there will be some progress made on extending a power line along the highway 37 corridor.
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Posted by: Andyfreeze on September 11 2009 1:03 PM
"With gas royalties down,mining is one of the bright lights in the B.C.resource economy right now."
Actually,mining in B.C.has been ignored for it's true potential for a very long time!
We really need to fix that!
The Terrane Metals Mt.Milligan project north of Fort St.James, just received another permit in the process yesterday and the province is already on board.
The federal environmental hearing will start in mid October and it is looking good!
This mine would be huge boost the entire area,not just Fort St.James.