WANETA HYDROELECTRIC EXPANSION PROJECT APPROVED

VICTORIA – Waneta Expansion Power Corporation (the proponent) has received an environmental assessment (EA) certificate for a new powerhouse adjacent to the existing Waneta Dam on the Pend d’Oreille River. Environment Minister Barry Penner and Energy, Mines and Petroleum Resources Minister Richard Neufeld made their decision to grant the EA certificate after considering the details of a comprehensive review led by B.C.’s Environmental Assessment Office (EAO).

The project consists of the construction and operation of a new 435-megawatt hydroelectric power plant and a 10-kilometre long, 230-kilovolt transmission line.

The new power plant, expected to be in-service by 2011, will provide more than 700 gigawatt-hours per year of renewable energy, the equivalent energy for more than 70,000 households, without the need for new dam construction, new reservoir formation or additional flooding of existing reservoirs. The project will reduce the amount spilled at the existing Waneta Dam and therefore reduce total gas pressure downstream, improving Columbia River water quality to the benefit of aquatic species.

The project is consistent with the B.C. government’s goal to reduce greenhouse gas emissions while contributing to the Energy Plan’s commitment to make British Columbia electricity self-sufficient by 2016.

In addition to the provincial environmental assessment process, the proposal also triggered an environmental assessment under the Canadian Environmental Assessment Act, so the EAO and federal agencies have harmonized the environmental assessment process and prepared a joint report for decision-makers. Based on this report, the EAO has concluded that effects from the project will be within acceptable levels, subject to implementation of mitigation measures and commitments agreed to by the proponent.

Before the project can proceed, the federal Minister of the Environment’s decision and the necessary provincial authorizations and regulatory approvals from the responsible federal authorities are required.

The provincial EA certificate contains 51 major commitments that the proponent must implement throughout the various phases of the project. Some key commitments include:

Mitigating any potential incremental effects of the project to the endangered white sturgeon through the implementation of precautionary measures and adaptive management.
Providing compensation measures for the loss of shallow-water habitat as a result of the project.
Continuing project information sharing and consultation with First Nations.
Developing specific mitigation measures to protect the habitat of the endangered yellow-breasted chat.

Capital costs for the project are estimated to be $400 million and would create approximately 680 person-years of employment over the 42-month construction period. Estimated annual revenues to the B.C. government from water rentals will be $5 million.

More information on the environmental assessment certificate can be found at www.eao.gov.bc.ca.

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Media contact:	Kate Thompson Manager, Media Relations 250 953-4577

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