CSC: Letters: August 23, 2001: From the Premier Gordon Campbell
August 23, 2001
Raymond Moss
3938 14th Ave
Port Alberni, BC V9Y 5C3
Dear Mr. Moss:
Thank you for your recent letter concerning your opposition to the proposed BC Hydro generation project in Port Alberni.
As you may know, in December 1997, the Power for Jobs Development Act was enacted to make surplus electrical power available to industry under flexible terms and conditions to create jobs and investment. One of the industries targeted by the Province under the power for jobs strategy is aluminium.
The Government's prime asset in attracting aluminum investment in BC's entitlement to the Columbia River Treaty Downstream Benefits (DSB) electrical power. The full amount of DSB's is estimated to be 1400 megawatts (MW) of peak capacity, or 4500 gigawatt hours (GWh) of energy per year until 2024, when the treaty can be terminated.
Since early 1998, the Ministry of Competition, Science and Enterprise has been successful in attracting numerous aluminum companies to British Columbia to view potential smelter plant sites, including Alcoa of the USA, Billiton of the UK, Norsk Hydro of Norway, and most recently Pechiney of France. None of the aluminum companies that visited Port Alberni identified it as a preferred smelter location in British Columbia.
The City of Port Alberni and Alberni-Clayoquot Regional District have independently been pursuing aluminum investment and have been successful in attracting interest from KTD, a Spokane, Washington State company that designs and markets smelting technology. KTD, with Port Alberni, have jointly undertaken to raise funds to conduct pre-feasibility studies on a site east of the town.
The Province has concurrently commissioned an environmental impact assessment from the Environmental Assessment Office and a power supply study from BC Hydro. I assure you that we are committed to promoting clean and alternative energy sources while protecting the air and water quality of all British Columbians.
Before any decision will be made on the aluminum initiative, our government will consider the results of these studies, as well as the cost-benefit analysis of implementing electrical transmission capability to a smelter at Port Alberni in comparison to the sale of power to US markets.
We are working to adopt a scientifically-based, principled approach to environmental management, conservation, and energy policy that ensures sustainability, accountability, and responsibility.
Thank you for taking the time to write me with your concerns. I have forwarded your letter to the Honourable Richard Neufeld, Minister of Energy and Mines, for his review and attention as well.
Sincerely,
Gordon Campbell
Premier
pc: Honourable Richard Neufeld
| Copy of Original Letter. Click on pictures to view larger copy! | |
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