BC Hydro privatization is public ruin

BC Hydro has pumped an average $700 million a year into BC general revenue for the past 10 years. This money went into everything from hospitals to schools to road work. What will happen when this cash flow greatly reduces or even stops because all the money (which will increase as time goes by) goes into a few private hands? How much will this impoverish BC? Will we be able to compete on the world market with the likes of California when all electricity will only be sold to the highest bidders? Can small businesses survive a 5 or 6-fold increase in electric prices? Can you?
Check out hydrofactsbc.ca and ourrivers.ca for more info.
Here's a presentation by adjunct Professor John Calvert of Simon Fraser University on BC Hydro privatization:
Viewing Tip: Once the video begins, you can click on the "scrollable" table of contents chapter index (works exactly like a "scenes" menu in a DVD). This clickable index is just underneath the video player. The video will then jump to that point in the presentation. (If you've got "Flash" player loaded and enabled, you can also navigate via "clicking" on the moving "timeline" at the bottom of the presentation screen.)
(Note: the hyperlink address strings that are visible on this web page here are *not* the full address shown, but they will work here, if you click on a link here. If you want to send these links to others, privately, then please remember to copy the *full* shortcut address path.)
For "Windows" viewers using "Internet Explorer":
Click Here to play
For "Windows" viewers using "Firefox" (requires "Real Media Player" or "Real alternative" v1.51 player..google it.):
Click Here to play
For "Windows" viewers using "Firefox", that also have "QuickTime" loaded (broadband only):
Click Here to play
For "Mac" viewers running "OS X" (this presentation can can *only* be viewed via "Firefox" browser for Mac OS X. "Safari" browser is not supported).
(broadband only):
Click Here to play
For "Mac" viewers running "OS X", and "Linux" users with "Firefox" browser for Linux (with a player that plays Real Media streams on Linux), and are on dialup modems or broadband (can *only* be viewed via "Firefox" browser for Mac OS X. "Safari" browser is not supported. Requires "Real Media Player" for Mac OS X to get dialup modem support):
Click Here to play

copper-gold-coal

Enough commodities in a given area, coupled to a supportive government and business community, can bring riches and security, to an area formally not in the cross hairs of the urban liberal.
It's not something to get upset about. The urban libs have power, Internet, cable, infrastructure, transit system, parks, garbage pickup, recycling pickup, police, fire dept., courts, major medical facilities, shopping opportunities, supplies, taxi cabs, pizza delivery, airports, railways, highways, passport offices, EI office, CRA office, major newspapers, need I go on.
For the urban lib to ask rural people to pay the price for their indulgences, is a sin.
It's the same as the west treats Africa.
This article was predictable by the headline. It's another eco-fraud example of how the rural people are screwed by the holier than thou, creme de le creme, in Vancouver, who are so rich in property, they don't care about anything outside Vancouver.

"riches and security..."

Once a power plant is built (usually within 12 to 18 months) it requires 1 or 2 workers to keep it going. How is this going to bring "riches and security" to the area devastated by the power facility, it's water-feed channel construction and transmission corridor making? Once any of the natural beauty of the area is blasted to smithereens (or cut down for transmission towers) what hope is there for any tourist or research business?

off topic save'

There are no plans to build a 'POWER PLANT " in this area of discussion. It;s merely a plan to send up a proper transmission line to get sufficient power to the area.
The construction of this line will involve hundreds of high paying jobs.
Once built, it will allow the area to create infrastructure to serve the deserving people.
Save Our Rivers probably lives in Surrey, wired into everything possible in Vancouver.
Why should rural BC to be subject to enabling themselves to tourist or research dollars to get them by?
Who made you the arbitrator of wealth creation?

bc hydro

Its amazing how most British Columbians are sitting on thier hands watching Gordo and the rest of the Liberal slimballs sell bc hydro to thier friends and political contributors.

Where are the NDP? The should be telling these so called free enterprisers to be very carefull. Give these guys something to really think about by telling them that when the NDP get back in {and they will soon thanks to Virk and Basi) that the people of BC will either tax every inch of their sleasy operations or expropiate them for a hell of alot less that they paid for them. Hydro must be kept in the public domain along with water and healthcare.

The big give away!

This is how Gordo and his crew operate > donate to the Liberal Party of BC and the government will spend taxpayers dollars to subsidies their business ventures.

RAV, Gateway, Sea to Sky, BC Ferries, Hydro, it's all the same.

Campbell will go down in history as the most evil Premier this province has seen and the media said nothing!

For an interesting read,

For an interesting read, check out the business section of the Province today re: "Ratepayers to bear energy plan's cost". The only surprising thing about it (to those without their heads in the sand or whose bread is buttered by our provincial "reverse Robin Hood" government) is that it was actually published in the Province.

Scammers

When going green is driven by green.

Maybe the Asper Press is feeling the heat

It is my understanding that the Asper Press is feeling their customer's wrath over their censorship of Liberal evil-doings?

If the number of people phoning me, asking me to subscribe to the Sun or Province is any indication (3 just last week!) they are desperate for new subscribers!

Maybe Teflon Gordo, is Teflon no more?

So what else is new

The $300 million will come out of the pockets of the average person to subsidize the poor mining companies investments and profit margins. It is all so familiar in B.C. where the rich corporations need to have their hand in the taxpayer's pocket.

Now is the time for all good persons to come to the aid

Now is the time for all good persons to come to the aid of their province.

cghzd wrote:
Its amazing how most British Columbians are sitting on thier hands watching Gordo and the rest of the Liberal slimballs sell bc hydro to thier friends and political contributors. Where are the NDP?

Just wondering, cghzd, if you've been supporting the NDP the past few years?

Are you upporting Save Our Rivers?

It's warm words we need: show us how it's done. You're absolutely correct when you say that British Columbians haven't done enough to stop the giveaways.

But when you think of the huge, complex job that would be ... it's just not right to blame us for not getting it done. Crumbs, we're lucky if we can even find out (after reading or watching or listening to CanWest media) what the basic problems are.

Please don't blame us. Help us. OK?

Can we charge CanWest with treason?

Grumpy:

CanWest headquarters feeling the heat? Sure hope you're correct on that. I think CanWest should be charged with treason, sneaking into our lives like the Town Crier, but twisting, changing, ignoring, disguising the real news until it's too late.

Then telling us that everything is wonderful, don't worry, be happy. Isn't that treason?

If they are feeling the heat right now, it would be such a blessing.

Imagine: picking up a Vancouver daily newspaper and actually reading the news!

Positive Development

If mining is done in a responsible, environmental way, then it is a tremendous boon to our economy and people (including the local First Nations who deserve a share of the benefits as well.)

If a new power line is able to reduce the emission of greenhouse gases, and also encourages economic development in the area, then everyone benefits.

For working people, mining is the best-paying industry in a technical field. And (lefties please note) the rate of unionization in the industry is close to 100%. Income taxes and royalties pay for many of the social services we now expect from government.

Let's get on with it.

So!

Let the mining companies pay for the infrastructure they need.

Don't Squander our Money

This story is about our Provincial Government squandering our tax dollars, that have been specifically designated to cut Green House Gases, to connect the NE corner of the province to the grid.

The dirty energy currently being consumed can be replaced with green energy at a cost of $22million, as opposed to spending $326million to hook up to the grid.

It might be necessary to mine that region of the province someday, but what's the hurry? The economy is strong now, why must we develop everything now, how about saving something for a rainy day, and spending the money for its intended purpose.

stupid people?

We are not stupid. The posters on this thread seem to think that mainstream media ( MSM ) is oh so powerful. That the unwashed masses live and die with the information they get through MSM.
First of all, the majority of people don't care a rat's ass about current events.
Those that do, have access to alternatives to the liberal MSM.
20 million Americans listen to Rush Limbaugh every day. This is a huge audience. Massive. And the MSM can't get him fired, like Imus, because he owns himself an all rights to himself. He's untouchable, unless the FCC tries to take him off the air.
Good luck with that.
You all can tune into Real Clear Politics, National Review Online, Sean Hannity, Drudge, Captains Quarters, I could list hundreds of alternative news reports to the liberal MSM.
It's a liberal MSM, and yet the BC Mary's of this world try to deny this.
MSM ( CNN,CBC,CBS,NBC,ABC,PBS, NPR ) are shrills for everything leftist liberal. Give me a break, do you not know we have figured that out by now?
So go ahead BC Mary with your assault on Canwest Global and other left wing MSM.
I love anything that can bring these BS artists down.

Mines - who needs them?

For the supporters of the mining industry is there one mine anywhere in the world that at the end of its 'life' has not left the taxpayer or local inhabitants with the cleanup bills or worse? Seems the mine Boards can't wait to declare bankruptcy and 'walk' with the 'assets' and 'petty' cash. It seems every closed mine I have ever read about has left the taxpayers with the final cleanup costs which in many cases were/are higher than the value of the ore recovered. Howe Sound and the taxpayer are still paying the environmental costs of the Brittania Copper mine. Montana is a classic example for anyone who cares to research how the mining industry was a disaster for that State. (Read Collapse by Jared Diamond)
No mine should ever open without the shareholders posting a bond of a billion or so. But it is easier to BS the population with what a great thing the mines will be for the economy. And the money that passes under or over the table to the political parties that are in bed with the mine promoters and their minions just corrupts the political process of public protection. If mining was done with exploration, mining and cleanup costs all factored into the business great but that is not what happens in the real world, in the real world it is how much can the exploiters get while shifting as much expense as possible to the environment and the taxpayer. Now we have a little insight as to why Alcan has cut back its production lines in Kitimat it wants into the power selling business. Looks like they have the inside track on Highway 37 electrification. (And it will be expensive power as well) In order to sell the power they ignore the parts of the original Alcan/BC contract that they don't like and with the connivance of the P3 crazy bunch in Victoria they pull the rug and good paying jobs out from under Kitimat and British Columbia. And what for? Some measly campaign donations, future directorships or what?

It seems, we exist to be milked

Except for those in particular businesses, we all welcome alternatives to fossil fuels and nuclear power.

If one is able to attach a green label to an "alternative" project, no matter the cost, there will be those who will take it as a license to take the consumer to the cleaners.

A prime example is Sarnia's proposed, million-panel, solar farm covering the equivalent of 419 Canadian football fields and producing a measly 40 megawatts at an estimated cost of over $300 million and delivering power at seven times the current price - and at an agreed price that will have the contractor laughing all the way to the bank for deal's 20 years:

http://www.canada.com/vancouversun/news/story.html?id=b1e7a7cc-09ef-439c-8b

Tested and found wanting

I'm sorry, but the link I posted in my previous post doesn't open.

If you wish to read the story, I suggest you Google Vancouver Sun, then check Headline Scan.

You back again

You back again IAMCluless?
Still with the mentality of a paid shill!
A spoiled little boy who never has anything intelligent to say about the current topic, and a potty mouth just to prove my point.
Always attacking Great blogger who see out side "The Box" BC Mary is one who has faithfully followed this made man, criminal Gordon Campbell re BC Rail scandal since day one! http://bctrialofbasi-virk.blogspot.com/,
24hrs paper Bill Tieleman http://billtieleman.blogspot.com/
http://houseofinfamy.blogspot.com/
http://www.vivelecanada.ca/index.php?topic=robinscolumn!
CantWest Media Global owned, bought and paid for by greedy Corporations!
Maybe you haven't noticed in the local CTV, CBC, Global News nothing at all about the BC Fiberal Scandals? If these are your sources of information, you are living proof of someone who is "living in the box"

When Campbell and his whole

When Campbell and his whole crime family including CanWest media as an accessory, aiding and abetting to these crimes get thrown out of "OUR" HOUSES OF PARLAMENT and into prison I'll go out and dance on the streets with a big sign "Free at Last" with Traitor written across gordo's mug shot"!

www.canada.com/topics/news/st

http://www.canada.com/topics/news/story.html?id=0d5b064b-b195-4017-b48f-4526130cdf20

When you want to connect to hydro...

If you live a mile down the road from the closest hydro pole guess who gets to pay for the cost of the extension to your property? That's right you do and so why not let the mining folks pay their own way.

CanWest Global left wing???

IAMC Quote: "Canwest Global and other left wing MSM". Hello? CanWest Global is left wing? What planet do you live on, IAMC?

Two observations: Its funny

Two observations: Its funny how pundits like IAMC always call the MSM left while the left calls them right. They are actually both correct because the MSM is socially left but economically right. Why not just agree on this and skip the debate? Secondly, it always cracks me up how IAMC and his (assuming male)ilk cry free market yet will support a $300 million handout to the corporations as "rural development"

It need not be "dirty" diesel

I question the reference to "dirty diesel". If the diesel generators currently providing electricity are not using the cleanest diesel fuel available, they should be - and I suspect that they are. Today's diesel fuel is very much cleaner than that generally used as little as ten years ago.

A previous poster was correct. Producing the power close to its area of intended use is the most desirable. This saves much energy that would otherwise be lost in transmission.

Naturally, the greener the methods of producing the power, the better.

Why are we in a hurry?

Reminds me of the talk before the province gave ALCAN the privileges it still enjoys today!

Looking back it is clear that ALCAN is making huge profits and the province was left holding the bag!

Can that not be a lesson?

Why should, we the taxpayers, suffer because maybe some construction jobs may be created?

If there is a profit to be made the entrepenours will ante up whatever money it takes, but of course they would prefer that taxpayers do it instead!

Another point is that there are future generations to consider: do we need to plunder everything right now?

If minerals are so prescious, then they will be even more prescious a generation from now!

Let the stuff wait in the ground, who knows, maybe they even find better methods of mining it by then?

Yeoman

Likewise with the whole concept of publicly-funded roads, sewage, gas, and other infrastructure, which then (with a wave of the wand) should be turned over to private enterprise. Why don't private entrepreneurs raise the capital, and do the construction themselves? Additionally, with items such as infrastructure, in a true free market the consumer should be able to pick and choose, and compare the services, and not be held to ransom by a monopoly. Why should I (for instance) be compelled to subscribe to Shaw Cable? Or Teresen gas? Or Telus for my phone service? Monopolies are (or should be) anathema to free enterprise. But most so-called "free enterprisers" lust after monopolies -- because in the end of it all, they don't want to have to go through the grind of competing in business day after day with no assurances other than their own competence -- even as they subject their employees to that very same uncertainty with job security, and their customers with intermittant service and completely random price hikes.

But corporate welfare trickles down!!

I'm tired of getting trickled on, I think we should hand out all the money to the poor at the bottom, they can then execute the "piss up theory" where the rich can keep whatever money gets thrown their way. At least when you give the money to the poor you know that almost a hundred percent of that money is going to get spent inside the province, and that very very little of it will be squirreled away in offshore bank accounts.

I wonder what percentage of the electricity on this line will be used in grow houses. BC Bud is our number one industry so perhaps its not unrealistic for the government to subsidize it.

WHAT'S THE VOLTAGE?

Is this transmission line going to be a 500KV mainline? If so, the real purpose has nothing to do with mining or micro-hydro. It has to do with harnessing the Iskut and Stikine Rivers as the next big inputs into the hydro system.

electrification

BC Hydro or the gov't has absolutely no interest in electrifying communities that are off the grid. They make a few feeble attempts now and again, but it's largely just something to make themselves feel better. And, believe me, I know, as I live in a remote community with "dirty" electrical generation.
So, where there's smoke there's mirrors......and diesel and gas generators.

Alaska

Something that has been missed is that Alaska is very interested in haveing a line down to the lower 48 to ship power. They have a lot of hydro electric potential they would like to develope. So maybe Alaska could pay a good portion of the cost.