The new executive director of BC's Independent Power Producers Association (IPPBC) said the industry must look at how renewable energy projects measure up to promises made.
Paul Kariya spoke last night in Vancouver at a discussion on green energy development, hosted by West Coast Environmental Law. He was one of 16 panelists representing various groups in the green power debate, including Simon Fraser environmental economist Mark Jaccard, PowerUp president Tzeporah Berman and Watershed Watch executive director Craig Orr.
Kariya joined the IPPBC three months ago with a strong background in fisheries. He worked for the federal government in fisheries and oceans, served as CEO of Fisheries Renewal BC, and most recently served as executive director of the Pacific Salmon Foundation from 2002 to 2008.
While Orr asserted that "we have done a very poor job of protecting fish and fish habitat" in the assessment and development of run of river projects, Kariya said he has seen projects that provided net benefits to salmon, because degraded logging roads and culverts were repaired. However, he also said there was a need to assess the environmental performance of these projects so far.
"Rather than talk in terms of the theoretical, I'm very much for, let's look at the 49 [independent power projects] that are out there. . . and let's go through and see benefits and deficiencies and build from there. It's something I'm going to lead and try and find some funding support for and build partnerships to do."
Colleen Kimmett reports for The Tyee
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freebear
2 years ago
What was Berman wearing-As she has been an eco fashion icon too!
What did that sell out Berman have to say?
Hugh
2 years ago
Paul Kariya wants to look at
Paul Kariya wants to look at the problems of private power projects in BC, that's good. We need to take a hard look at the economic and environmental effects of these projects.
For example, Plutonic's huge Bute/Toba project may produce power surplus to BC's needs. The power may well have to be exported at a loss. This is why our hydro rates are going up.
If we don't need the power from Bute/Toba, why are we allowing this massive, half-American owned project to blight our BC coast?
North of Hope
2 years ago
IPP measure
We should measure the cost of IPP against the cost per kilowatt of electricity that BC Hydro charges. And we should measure the damage the IPP's have done to the environment. There should be an open, public environmental impact of these operations before they are allowed to sell electricity to BC Hydro and in effect us, the ratepayers.
Frank
2 years ago
IPPs
Every British Columbian should be asking why we are wrecking Bute Inlet to help California.
salty dog
2 years ago
@ Frank
Frank,we should be asking why we are wrecking bute inlet when California WON`T be power,The California senate ruled last spring that big run of river isn`t green power,in other words.....
They won`t be buying it, new power purchases according to the California energy plan, must come from Green power......
Just google up....
California senate rules bc run of river power isn`t green.
salty dog
2 years ago
California senate says no to BC run of river power
Here`s the link Frank....
A real Good read
http://communities.canada.com/vancouversun/print.aspx?postid=326740
Cheers