Many advantages to hydroelectric power

Dear Editor: I would like to respond to the series of letters to the editor recently published about the Site C project.

I see myself as an individual who considers both sides of any argument, properly weighing both sides before coming to a conclusion.

Therefore, my concerns and disagreements regarding the views expressed are not blindly misinformed.

The vast majority of individuals who can see any beauty in the (natural) world around us would be against any development. However, the sustainable future of the economy relies on projects like Site C.

The idea that B.C. is fine and does not need this additional electricity is far from the truth. Through the winter months, we rely on the burning of coal in Washington to supplement our lack of power, an entirely different issue completely overlooked.

The mention of cleared agricultural land, that will be flooded upon the development of Site C’s reservoir, strikes far below the capabilities mentioned. The land that will become flooded here has a growing season of two to three months a year at best.

In term of increased time and cost, consider the Port Mann Bridge costing more than double its original estimate, as well as its continual cost years later.

In regards to the mention of treaties being broken, Treaty 8 needs to be examined. The fact is that this land can be used for public works by the government at any time needed. Whether I agree with this or believe it is right is beside the point, I am only stating the facts.

There is an overwhelming desire in our culture to view alternative energy as the solution. In fact, hydroelectric power is the cheapest, cleanest, and most environmentally sustainable source of power available. However, the flooding of the land and damage to the river systems is what we focus on.

However, it is not changing our clean energy source where we will find the ability to protect our environment.

On the contrary, a drastic paradigm shift leading us away from the use and production of coal in Canada is needed (43 per cent of which is produced here in B.C. according to Natural Resources Canada). The natural world is largely the place I feel at home most, as well as desire to protect.

Though I do not agree with the destruction of our environment, I see the greater need to begin moving away from coal and other fossil fuels entirely.

Trent Nickel Abbotsford