Not to be missed: Public meetings on Bute Inlet energy project

A massive “green” energy mega-project is proposed for Bute Inlet by Plutonic Power Corp and General Electric. It includes 17 hydroelectric facilities, 85 km of penstock, other structures, 267 km of permanent roads and 443 km of high-voltage transmission lines between Bute Inlet and Earl’s Cove.

The giant scale and long-term environmental impacts of this development proposal warrant the most thorough and transparent public and scientific scrutiny.

The BC Environmental Assessment Office is holding public meetings to discuss the environmental review process, and for Plutonic to provide information about its development proposal. Public meetings are scheduled for:

Powell River on January 27 (4-8 pm, Town Centre)

Sechelt on January 28 (4-8 pm, Sechelt Indian Band Hall)

Campbell River: Monday February 2 (4-8 pm, Quinsam Hall.)

High levels of attendance at these meetings, and written public comments are key to what happens next. The federal government may also refer the Bute Inlet project to a more thorough and comprehensive review and public hearings that are important to proper assessment of this mega-development. This is your opportunity to influence what happens to an important part of BC’s wilderness coast!

Comments to the draft terms of reference, and requests for a federal panel review and public hearings will be received only until February 18.

The draft terms of reference for the Bute Inlet Hydroelectric Project can be downloaded from the BC Environmental Assessment Office, at:

http://a100.gov.bc.ca/appsdata/epic/html/deploy/epic_project_home_316.html

To find out more, please contact ButeInletgmail.com or phone 250-285-2846.

You can send comments directly to the Federal Canadian Environmental Assessment Agency, attention Marie-France Therrien at bute.reviewceaa-acee.gc.ca and to the Provincial Environmental Assessment Office, attention Kathy Eichenberger, at eaoinfogov.bc.ca

Jim Abram