December 10, 2009 Update on the Northwest Transmission Line (BCTC) Publisher: BC Transmission Corporation
I would like to update you on several recent developments with regards to the Northwest Transmission Line (NTL) project.
As you may have heard, on September 16, 2009, the Federal Government announced that it will contribute funding for the construction of the NTL from its Green Infrastructure Fund, and the Provincial Government reconfirmed that the NTL will now move forward. (Please visit www.bctc.com, Northwest Transmission Line Project pages, to link to these announcements.
The NTL project will support Federal and Provincial initiatives to reduce greenhouse gases, by providing a reliable supply of clean electricity to attract and support new industrial growth in northwest BC. It will also allow secure interconnection of approved green/clean independent power projects to BC's electricity grid, and could facilitate interconnection to the grid by local communities currently dependent on diesel power.
At this time, BCTC is finalizing the Application for an Environmental Assessment Certificate for NTL, under the funding provided by the Province in Fall 2008. The Application will then be submitted to the BC Environmental Assessment Office (BCEAO).
The Terms of Reference for the Application (Application Information Requirements) was recently finalized and is posted on the BCEAO website (www.eao.gov.bc.ca). Also now posted on the BCEAO website are BCTC's responses to comments submitted to the BCEAO during the public comment period for the draft Terms of Reference.
With regards to next steps, once the Application has been accepted by the BCEAO, a review period will commence. This will include open houses and a public comment period. I will send another update to provide information on how you can participate in this process.
In the meantime, if you have any questions, please contact me at: (604) 699-7551 or toll-free: 1-866-647-3334 (ask the receptionist for my line); or by email: .
Sincerely
Lesley A. Wood
Sr. Community Relations Specialist
BC Transmission Corporation
Please direct all media inquiries to:
Byng Giraud, General Secretary,
Highway 37 Power Line Coalition
Tel: (778) 233-6449
