Despite eco-radical opposition and attempted interference by groups like Amnesty International, construction of the Site C hydroelectric dam is well underway just outside Fort St John BC.
If you’ve been following my reporting on this file you’ll know I’m a strong supporter of this project for a number of reasons.
BC is a province with a long history of successful hydro-electric power installations and this is a region of our province decimated by the downturn in oil and gas so the project will provide high paying jobs for those out of work in the region and many Albertans as well.
I caught up with Bill Bennett, the Minister in charge of Site C at the BC Liberal convention over the weekend.
Minister Bennett like many of the rural BC members of the BC Liberal Caucus is a true blue conservative and I think you will enjoy our discussion on not only site C but also on the hypocrisy of people like David Suzuki.
Photo credit: Twitter/@sitecproject
All of the jobs are in one location. If BC were to to develop power using alternatives, it would be less expensive and far less damaging to fishing and hunting grounds. Additionally, the jobs could be located in various regions throughout the province on an as-needed basis.
BC Hydro and the provincial government are taking a huge, unnecessary gamble in building a massive piece of infrastructure and they have no secured buyers. Oh wait, actually they are hoping to sell it to Albertans!
Did you know that the cost of Site C power will be at least 3 times that of prices on the open market at present? Additionally, our trusty Prime Minister is willing to waste millions, if not billions of tax dollars from you and I on building a transmission line from BC to AB to bring you this expensive power.
It would make far more sense for new sources of energy to be generated by using AB workers, companies and resources than importing power from Site C. The cost and building, operating and delivering power from gas thermal plants or geothermal plants is far less than Site C. That’s what makes sense for Albertans.
I cannot explain why the Eastern Liberals turned Left of even the NDP. One thing is for sure, Harper left a balanced budget and in one year Trudeau has it -$40,000,000,000.00,and no new jobs.
I wish I was young again, I’d head up there