Excerpt: "B.C. refuses to consider a planning process that would measure or manage the cumulative impacts of these projects, or that would ensure development spares sensitive areas with high environmental, cultural and social values."

West Kootenay EcoSociety

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE November 29, 2007

Private Energy, Ruined Rivers: Energy Privatization and the Glacier/Howser Private Hydroelectric Project

Nelson, BC - Concerned about the recent flood of private power development on rivers and streams, including the proposed Glacier/Howser private mega-hydroelectric project in the West Kootenay region, the West Kootenay EcoSociety and a coalition of community groups is hosting events in Kaslo, Nelson, and Castelgar next week.

Renowned Simon Fraser University Associate Professor Dr. John Calvert, author of Liquid Gold: Energy Privatization in British Columbia, will be speaking at the events on the economic impacts of private power projects. He will be joined by the West Kootenay EcoSociety who will speak to the potential environmental impacts of the proposed Glacier/Howser private hydroelectric project.

In a push to privatize energy production in British Columbia the provincial government recently opened up the rights to water licenses for more than 500 rivers in BC to private energy producers.

With a 125MW capacity, the proposed Glacier/Howser mega-hydroelectric project (located north of Kaslo) is one of these new private power projects and, is the largest proposed in the West Kootenay region. Axor, the project's proponent, has outlined its plans to divert significant volumes from Glacier and Howser creeks into 16kms of tunnels that will be bored through adjacent mountains and will dump water directly into the Duncan Reservoir, rather than returning it to the creek. Riparian and fish habitats, particularly for bull trout will be negatively affected. In addition, a new 91.5km long transmission line, which can be up to 100m wide, is proposed to be built from the West Kootenays over to the East Kootenays through old growth forests, high value grizzly bear habitat, and over a pristine mountain pass. Bordering on the Purcell Wilderness Conservancy, this area is part of the most extensive, unprotected wilderness left in the West Kootenays.

"It is an important time for West Kootenay residents to speak up about Axor's massive hydroelectric project for Glacier and Howser creeks, " says Lee-Ann Unger, West Kootenay EcoSociety. "The proposed plans would inflict significant environmental damage to and ecologically magnificent area and offer little to no long-term benefit for local people."

West Kootenay EcoSociety is concerned about the significant environmental impacts of the proposed Glacier/Howser private hydroelectric project, the cumulative impacts with other industrial activity in the area, and the compromise to conservation and sustainability goals that accompany energy privatization.

The events in Kaslo, Nelson, and Castelgar are being hosted with support from the Purcell Alliance for Wilderness, Council of Canadians, Corky Evans, MLA,, BC Citizens for Public Power, Save Our Rivers Society, Western Canada Wilderness Committee, Forest Ethics, Valhalla Wilderness Society, Canadian Office and Professional Employees Local 378, Endangered Creeks Expedition, and Selkirk College.

Kaslo
Tuesday, December 4
7:00 - 9:30pm
United Church (4^th St @ B Ave)

Nelson
Wednesday, December 5
7:00 - 9:30pm
Anglican Church Hall (723 Ward St)

Castlegar
Thursday, December 6
12:00 - 1:30pm
Selkirk College (Sentinel 113)

Cost is $5 - $10 sliding scale donation and no one will be turned away.

For more information visit www.ecosociety.ca or phone 354-1909.

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2003 Accenture Consulting outsourcing agreement with BC Hydro