I received this email from a friend yesterday. I'm told by some people that hydro does this every couple of years and its more of a feel good thing than actually listening but I think its important that paddlers show up and encourage BC Hydro not to buy energy from power projects that impact paddlers (In case you've been living under a rock that is most IPP's in BC).
Ryan
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Please circulate this to concerned parties:
Opinions Wanted on Long-Term Clean Energy Planning
2011 03 02
Starting this month, BC Hydro is inviting First Nations, customers and stakeholders to help shape B.C.’s clean energy future by sharing their ideas. First Nations from around the province have been invited to nine regional workshops which start this week. Twelve open houses at locations around the province start next week and continue through until mid-April, allowing the public to provide direct input on the future of electricity. Those who are unable to attend the sessions can submit feedback online at http://www.bchydro.com/irp or by emailing integrated.resource.planning@bchydro.com.
Valuable customer, First Nations and stakeholder input will be collected and reviewed by BC Hydro as it develops its Integrated Resource Plan (IRP) – a 20-year, high-level outlook at how to fulfill the province’s growing electricity demand.
While last week’s capital plan announcement focused on BC Hydro’s three-year infrastructure investments, the IRP will establish BC Hydro's long-term plan for conservation and set its course for acquiring sufficient generation and transmission resources to reliably and cost-effectively meet customers' anticipated future electricity needs over the coming decades.
“Seeking input from our customers, stakeholders and First Nations is important because we all have a stake in the future of electricity and energy conservation in British Columbia,” said Cam Matheson, Executive Director of Integrated Resource Planning. “We expect our customers’ electricity demand to grow by about 40 per cent over the next 20 years and our core strategy remains to ‘conserve, build and buy.’ A powerful, long-term vision is essential to our province’s future and we want our customers to have direct input as we plan to meet the needs for generations to come.”
Sheila Reynolds, Manager, Aboriginal and Corporate Relations, added, “Understanding First Nations interests in energy and transmission development will be very important to building a clean energy future for the province.”
The open houses will include discussions about potential resource options, including additional conservation and efficiency measures, new clean energy options and additional transmission to deliver new electricity loads to high-use areas. Other topics will include electrification – switching from other fuel sources to electricity – which could further increase future demand for electricity and export market potential.
BC Hydro will consider the input gained through the current consultation period as it prepares an initial draft IRP, and will seek further public comments on the draft plan this fall before the IRP is finalized and submitted to the Province in early December.
Integrated Resource Plan Public Meeting Schedule
Open Houses
Victoria, Wednesday, March 9, 2011
Campbell River, Thursday, March 10, 2011
Vancouver, Tuesday, March 15, 2011
Abbotsford, Wednesday, March 16, 2011
Kamloops, Thursday, March 17, 2011
Terrace, Tuesday, March 22, 2011
Prince George, Wednesday, March 23, 2011
Fort St. John, Thursday, March 24, 2011
Vernon, Tuesday, March 29, 2011
Castlegar, Wednesday, March 30, 2011
Fort Nelson, Thursday, March 31, 2011
Cranbrook, Thursday, April 7, 2011
First Nations Regional Workshops
Campbell River, Thursday, March 3, 2011
Abbotsford, Friday, March 4, 2011
Kamloops, Monday, March 7, 2011
Vancouver, Friday, March 11, 2011
Terrace, Monday, March 14, 2011
Fort St. John, Wednesday, March 16, 2011
Prince George, Thursday, March 17, 2011
Castlegar, Monday, March 21, 2011
