Opposition to $6.9 Billion Dam Proposal in British Columbia

A proposal to dam the Peace River, flooding 5,500 hectares (or about 21 square miles), has met resistance from the legal and scientific communities in Canada.

1 minute read

June 12, 2016, 9:00 AM PDT

By James Brasuell @CasualBrasuell

The Peace River in British Columbia. | Steve Smith / Shutterstock

"The $8.8-billion [about $6.9 billion U.S. dollars] Site C dam has run into a wall of opposition from scientists and legal scholars," according to an article by Charlie Smith. So much so that more than 250 scientists and legal scholars signed a "statement of concern" in May regarding the regulatory review of the project.

Among the concerns listed in the statement: "this process did not accord with the commitments of both the provincial and federal governments to reconciliation with and legal obligations to First Nations, protection of the environment, and evidence-based decision-making with scientific integrity."

The argument in favor for the dam proposal is for creating a source of hydroelectric power capable of supplying 450,000 homes with a year's worth of electricity. The article includes more specific lodged by the statement of concern with regard to the review process for the proposed hydroelectric facility.

FULL STORY: More than 250 Canadian scientists and professors sign letter objecting to Site C dam approval

Tuesday, May 24, 2016 in The Georgia Straight

Environment Infrastructure British Columbia Peace River Hydroelectric Dams Dam Site C View More

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