Site C project can’t continue
DEAR EDITOR:
I write concerning the ongoing downhill slide of the Site C dam, the most expensive project in B.C.’s history which, despite costs now heading towards $12 billion, about double the original price tag, is continuing as if everything were fine.
The Liberals and NDP do not seem interested in talking about it despite the Liberals promoting it for years and the NDP in late 2017 stating that it was too late to stop it, a position widely opposed and now seen as misguided.
Only the Green Party has stated they are prepared to shut down the project.
On Oct. 13, a report was issued by Robert McCullough, an economist and expert on power projects, stating that shutting down the project now would save BC Hydro ratepayers $116 million a year.
He cites escalating construction costs, unsolved geotechnical issues, falling costs of wind and solar power, the deterioration of Site C’s ability to compete in energy markets, dropping interest rates and the $1.1 billion loss by BC Hydro in related interest contracts.
The proponents are finally being faced with the fact the structure that has been built to date is sinking about an inch a month as a result of the weight of millions of cubic metres of concrete poured on top of it, the shale being in effect dried mud which becomes mushy when water wets it down. There is no bedrock in that area.
Fracking to access LNG has exacerbated the situation and caused thousands of earthquakes in the area, mostly small, but one measured 4.5 on the Richter scale which caused workers to evacuate.
A landslide in 2018 near Old Fort not far from Site C, cracked the only road out of the community, leading to the evacuation of 200 residents.
Other objections have already been made clear. BC Hydro estimates the prime agricultural land scheduled to be flooded could meet the nutritional needs of over one million people a year. Treaty rights of First Nations in the area have not been upheld. Wildlife would find their migratory corridor blocked by water.
Premier John Horgan now has appointed Peter Milburn, a former deputy finance minister, to look at the escalating problems and costs and to report back.
You can bet his report won’t be released until after the election. A recent open letter from over 18 distinguished people with experience on the issue asked Horgan to shut the project down until it is known whether it is financially and practically wise to continue. We are short on money to help combat the coronavirus pandemic and it would be far wiser to spend money earmarked for Site C on that than to continue to spend it on a project which has all the odds against it.
Peter Kerr, Kelowna