VITR gets environmental approval
New power links to mainland deemed eco-friendly
Bill Cleverley, Times Colonist, 16-Feb-2007
Construction Approval Granted Vancouver Island Transmission Project
Nickle's Energy Analects, 16-Feb-2007
MAINLAND-VANCOUVER ISLAND TRANSMISSION UPGRADE APPROVED
News Release, Environmental Assessment Office, 15-Feb-2007
Vancouver Island Transmission Reinforcement (VITR) Environmental Assessment site.
New power links to mainland deemed eco-friendly
Old lines in danger of failing
Bill Cleverley
Times Colonist
Friday, February 16, 2007
A $248-million project to replace the 51-year-old failing power lines that link Vancouver Island to the mainland has been given the environmental green light.
Vancouver-based B.C. Transmission Corp. has received provincial environmental certification from the Environmental Assessment Office (EAO) for its Vancouver Island transmission reinforcement project that links the Island north of Duncan to the mainland power grid at Tsawwassen.
“The project can now go ahead subject to getting the permits and approvals from the provincial and federal agencies,” said Garry Alexander, EAO project assessment director.
The project involves replacing two existing 138-kV (kilovolt) overland transmission circuits and towers with two new 230-kV circuits on a single line of towers. The marine portion involves removing one 138-kV circuit and replacing it with one new-230-kV circuit through the Strait of Georgia and Trincomali Channel to Saltspring Island.
B.C.Transmission Corp. has said the old submerged cables will be unreliable after the fall of this year.
“I understand from British Columbia Transmission corporation it’s even as simple as getting parts. Some of this equipment is getting old and there’s not a lot of parts left. It is getting to the end of it’s useful life,” Alexander said.
Approval from the provincial Environmental Assessment Office, which comes after a 21/2 year review, was one of the final hurdles that had to be cleared for the project to go ahead.
The project also triggered a review process under the Canadian Environmental Assessment Act due to requirements of the Department of Fisheries and Oceans and Environment Canada. The federal reviews are harmonized with the EAO review, Alexander said.
“The two decisions happen independently. The federal one has yet to happen, but our information is it could happen fairly soon and there aren’t any outstanding issues that would prevent them from making a similar conclusion,” he said.
The EAO assessment report concludes that the effects of the project as designed will be within acceptable levels, subject to the implementation of mitigation measures.
The provincial certification contains 201 commitments B.C. Transmission Corp. must implement through various phases of the project.
These include:
• Preparation of environmental management plans for the construction and operation of the project.
• Development of individual site restoration plans for those private landowners in Tsawwassen where site access will be required for removal and installation of overhead structures.
• Continued monitoring and reporting to the B.C. Utilities Commission on the state of scientific and health data, conclusions and public policy with respect to electromagnetic field exposure to power lines.
• Development of a public communications plan to notify the public and stakeholders of schedules, construction activities, environmental management and other aspects.
• Working with First Nations to avoid, mitigate and compensate for effects on traditional activities.
For Immediate Release
2007ENV0012-000133
Feb. 15, 2007
Ministry of Environment
MAINLAND-VANCOUVER ISLAND TRANSMISSION UPGRADE APPROVED
VICTORIA – Vancouver-based British Columbia Transmission Corporation (the proponent) has received provincial environmental certification to upgrade overland and marine transmission circuits between Delta and Duncan, following a comprehensive review led by B.C.’s Environmental Assessment Office (EAO).
The project involves replacing two existing 138-kV overland transmission circuits and towers with two new 230-kV circuits on a single line of towers. The marine portion of this project involves removing one 138-kV marine circuit and replacing it with one new 230-kV circuit through the Strait of Georgia and Trincomali Channel to Salt Spring Island. All overland work will take place on an existing transmission right-of-way.
The proponent is experiencing higher growth in power load than originally forecasted, and the Vancouver Island Transmission Reinforcement Project will supply a significant portion of the power required to meet load requirements. In addition, the project will fulfil a critical need to provide secure supplies of electricity to meet future power needs on southern Vancouver Island by 2008.
The BCTC transmission line system, which includes both northern and southern transmission lines to Vancouver Island, provides 70 per cent of the Island’s power.
The proposed project also triggered a screening level review under the Canadian Environmental Assessment Act (CEAA) due to authorizations required by Fisheries and Oceans Canada and Environment Canada. The EAO and federal agencies have harmonized the EA process and prepared a joint Screening Report/Assessment Report for decision makers.
The EAO Assessment Report concludes that effects from the project will be within acceptable levels, subject to adherence to the application’s design components and implementation of mitigation measures and commitments agreed to by the proponent.
In addition to having received the provincial environmental assessment (EA) certificate, the proponent will still need to obtain the necessary provincial and federal authorizations and approvals before the project can proceed.
The provincial EA certificate contains 201 commitments that the proponent has made and must implement throughout the various phases of the project. Some key commitments include:
• The proponent will prepare environmental management plans for the construction and operation of the overhead and submarine components of the project to guide the implementation of the project.
• The proponent will develop individual site restoration plans with those private landowners in Tsawwassen where site access will be required for removal and installation of the overhead structures.
• The proponent will continue to monitor and report to the British Columbia Utilities Commission on the state of scientific and health research data, conclusions and public policy with respect to electromagnetic field exposure with power lines.
• The proponent will develop a public communications plan to detail how it will notify the public and other stakeholders regarding project schedules, major construction activities, environmental management planning procedures, environmental monitoring programs and how to incorporate public feedback into project planning.
• The proponent will work with First Nations to avoid, mitigate and compensate for any unmitigated effects on traditional use activities.
The project capital cost is approximately $248 million, to be invested during the construction program.
More information on the environmental certificate can be found at www.eao.gov.bc.ca.
-30-
Media contact:
Kate Thompson
Media Relations
250 953-4577
For more information on government services or to subscribe to the Province’s news feeds using RSS, visit the Province’s website at www.gov.bc.ca.
Vancouver Island Transmission Reinforcement (VITR) Environmental Assessment site.
Construction Approval Granted Vancouver Island Transmission Project
Nickle's Energy Analects
16 February 2007
British Columbia Transmission Corporation (BCTC) has been granted a provincial Environmental Assessment Certificate approving construction of the Vancouver Island Transmission Reinforcement project.
The decision follows a comprehensive review through the British Columbia Environmental Assessment Office (EAO) which considered environmental, economic, social, heritage and health factors.
"The population and economy of B.C. are growing rapidly, and Vancouver Island's electricity needs are projected to increase by as much as 45% over the next 20 years," said Jane Peverett, BCTC president and chief executive officer. "This project will help to ensure a reliable supply of power for the over 700,000 residents and businesses of Vancouver Island and the Southern Gulf Islands."
The EAO is a neutral provincial agency that coordinates assessments of the impacts of major project proposals in B.C. After review of all the questions raised by the public, federal and provincial government agencies, local governments, and First Nations, and the responses and commitments from BCTC, the ministers of Environment and Energy, Mines and Petroleum Resources granted the certificate.
"We are pleased that our commitment to sustainability, First Nations engagement, and public involvement has been recognized by the EAO," said Peverett. "Moving forward, we are committed to ongoing communications with residents, the public and other interested parties to minimize the impact of the construction of this project."
The certificate contains more than 200 commitments that BCTC will implement throughout the construction and operation of the project. Included are commitments to environmental, wildlife and vegetation management, archeological and cultural resources, and land use.
The Vancouver Island Transmission Reinforcement project received approval from the British Columbia Utilities Commission on July 7, 2006 after nearly two years of stakeholder consultation by BCTC.
http://www.energyanalects.com/
Posted by Arthur Caldicott on 16 Feb 2007