Am I Paranoid?
Issues I fight for never seem to be 'news.' Wonder why?
Private power project construction on Ashlu River. Photo courtesy Western Wilderness Committee.
Tell me I'm not paranoid when I conclude that the corporate media in Vancouver will not cover any issue I'm deeply involved with.
But, as they say, "Just because you're paranoid doesn't mean someone isn't following you."
During the Meech Lake/Charlottetown Accord issue of the late 1980s and early 1990s, I was in determined opposition to what I saw as terrible constitutional amendments that would work against my province. The Vancouver Sun and the Vancouver Province assumed that B.C. would be delighted to support the Mulroney government and were overwhelmed with disbelief when British Columbians voted almost 70 per cent No! The editor of the Sun at the time felt obliged to apologize to the readers for so misconstruing the mood of the public.
In the mid '90s, I was heavily involved in fighting the Kemano Completion Project. For the mainstream media, the fighting just wasn't happening! Yet, this billion dollar plus project was killed by the B.C. government.
Again in the '90s, I vocally and vigorously allied myself with an environmental group called PRAWN who wanted to prevent the development of a gravel pit on the Pitt River. The corporate media were silent on the matter and once again the efforts were successful when the government stepped in and settled the matter.
Starting in 2001, I've been consistently involved in the fish farm issue and have, based on the courageous work of Alexandra Morton supported by a host of scientists, demonstrated beyond any doubt that pink salmon smolts are being slaughtered by sea lice from Atlantic salmon fish farms. While Mark Hume (the Globe and Mail) and his brother Stephen (The Sun) have written occasional articles, where is the investigative reporting we saw when Vaughn Palmer was attacking the Glen Clark government over the "fast ferries" issue?
Where are the muckrakers (an honourable term) so necessary to holding the establishment's feet to the fire on the fish farms sea lice issue?
I'll tell you, in The Tyee and just a few other independent publications, including Opinion 250 and the Georgia Straight.
Ignored yet again
Now I am official spokesperson for the Save Our Rivers Society fighting the calamitous energy policy of the Campbell government.
The corporate media don't even rate this as an issue.
I'll let you decide how important this is.
First, BC Hydro, because of the government's policy of having all power generated privately, is terminally ill and here is why.
1. Its bureaucracy has been "contracted out" out to Accenture, an American Company.
2. It has been forbidden by Mr. Neufeld's government to bring on new sources of energy with that privilege now given exclusively to the private sector.
3. Its transmission lines have been taken from them and given to a new Crown corporation, British Columbia Transmission Corporation (BCTC). In view of the Campbell government's policy that power will be created and sold through the private sector, I predict that as sure as God made little green apples, the government will, if re-elected, sell it to a private corporation.
4. This leaves BC Hydro with its present dams and Burrard Thermal, all of which must be maintained, from which it must pay the juicy new contracts negotiated by the Campbell government with their friends, the General Electric et al., as well as service nearly $7 billion dollars capital debt, most of which is held or guaranteed by the taxpayers of B.C.
Can BC Hydro survive this? We don't think so and we are supported by expert opinion provided by Dr. John Calvert and Dr. Marvin Shaffer, both professors at Simon Fraser University. I urge you to read Dr. Shaffer's response to Dr. Mark Jaccard's support of the B.C. government's position. It can be found on the website of PublicPowerBC.ca or here.
Neufeld's dam notions
The minister, Richard Neufeld, makes the amazing statement that BC Hydro is protected by legislation "in perpetuity!" Gadfrey Daniel! Doesn't Neufeld know that there is no such thing as perpetual legislation and that parliament (the legislature) is supreme? If he doesn't understand the elementary workings of parliamentary democracy any better than this, he ought not to be an MLA much less a minister.
One might ask Neufeld this. If damming and diverting the rivers and streams in British Columbia is such a good idea (and it isn't) why isn't BC Hydro doing it so British Columbians make the money instead of giving it all to shareholders in large corporations like Ledcor and General Electric?
The answer is ideology. Following the preachings of the ultra-conservative Fraser Institute, the Campbell government believes that there is no place in our economy for Crown Corporations because he believes that private companies can always do the job better. BC Hydro, which has been in the power business for 40 years, providing either the cheapest or second cheapest power in North America must therefore be replaced by private companies. This means huge increases in the power bills for consumers and industry alike, with all the profits going into the pockets of mom and pop operations like Ledcor and General Electric!
Why give it all away?
What is the essence of the Campbell government's policy?
BC Hydro is forbidden to bring on new power. All new power will be created by private companies. This will create huge environmental damage as one can easily see by going to www.saveourrivers.ca and looking at the award winning Damien Gillis' Powerplay videos.
Until this insane policy, we the people of B.C. have owned our system of public power so that all profits (often approaching $1 billion a year) go into the B.C. treasury for schools and hospitals; under the Campbell government policy, all profits will go to the shareholders of large U.S. corporations.
To use a phrase the government will understand, the bottom line is this: henceforth we will be exporting our environment, our power, our water and all profits out of province!
600 project applications
Is this is how we want our resources managed?
There are, at present, more than 600 applications to dam and otherwise divert the water from our rivers and streams. The minister of energy disingenuously says that these applications must meet a host of standards. This is eyewash.
The only thing standing between an application and a license is a woeful environmental assessment exercise which need not take place at all if the Campbell government doesn't want it to. As every British Columbian who cares about fisheries knows, federal Fisheries and Oceans is a bad joke, and one only has to look at their record on fish farms to know what a pathetic watchdog they are.
Readers should note with horror that Mr. Neufeld doesn't even deal with the implications of NAFTA! Here's what Wendy R. Holm, one of Canada's leading agrologists has to say: "Private sector firms issued water licenses by government -- be it for hydroelectric generation or for snowmaking -- hold NAFTA rights far superior to any rights held by Canadians if those firms are American or have American investors."
"Investor rights -- which trump conflicting provincial legislation -- include the right to national treatment and compensation for losses to investment, profits, markets and goodwill if those rights are expropriated by the Government of Canada or any province."
A left wing cabal?
Finally, Neufeld is on record claiming that opposition is all left wing, NDP, trade unions flap, flap, flap. He evidently thinks that the public must reject ideas and philosophies that don't spring from the BC Liberal party or the Fraser Institute and that if an idea comes from his notion of "the left" that it must therefore be rejected.
The minister is hung in a political time warp of long ago. This debate is not a left/right debate but rather about what sort of a province we will have.
I, too, was a B.C. cabinet minister. I considered that my obligation was to the people of British Columbia and the assets that are their birthright, not large out-of-province corporations that wished to exploit those assets for the benefit of their shareholders.
I leave the matter with our readers with two questions. Have we raised a serious issue of public policy and, if so, where the hell is the "mainstream" media?
Not for the first time have I been involved in issues our papers and TV have ignored, and I'm bold enough to say that after election day, May 12, 2009, they'll learn just how important this issue is to British Columbians.
Related Tyee stories:
- A 'Green' Threat to B.C.'s Rivers?
Tyee was among the very first to report on critics of run-of-river projects. - Private River Power Draws Diverse Foes
'Green' claims disputed. - Another Side to Private Power
First Nations, municipalities explore controversial energy source.
![[Tyee]](http://thetyee.cachefly.net/ui/img/ico_fishie.png){kind=small}
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57
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Wilfred Laurier
3 years ago
Rafe....
Is this journalism? Or are you on a soap box? Can a reader assume that you are not biased? Can this article be construed as "reporting?"
Just wondering.
OilbertaRedTory
3 years ago
Grit in the Eye of the Beholder ...
... fogs the "Views" for Laurier.
Rafe must've been a Tory and therefore used to understand the meaning of 'noblesse oblige' and 'commonwealth'.
Tragically, the PCs lost the way in the neo-liberal thickets and emerged to send us all to the ReformaTory Con job.
Luke Skywalker
3 years ago
Not To Be Repetitive But...
Rafe, as the facts have been previously stated again and again...
1. Mica Dam - another 1,000 MW (new generating stations 5 and 6);
2. Revelstoke Dam - another 1,000 MW (new generating stations 5 and 6);
3. Site C - another 900 MW;
4. Waneta Dam Expansion - another 435 MW;
http://www2.news.gov.bc.ca/news_releases_2005-2009/2007ENV0124-001452.htm
Rafe, with all due respect, I just simply cannot see how you can make your aforementioned statement with a straight face. :)
But Rafe, BC Hydro, circa 1999, under NDP management, provided private IPP's with a list of 600 BC rivers for micro hydro development. BC Hydro back then even provided these private IPP's with a road map on how to develop these sites.
So what gives?
Again Rafe, what about the other factual side of the story?
http://www.canada.com/victoriatimescolonist/news/comment/story.html?id=8c231838-2913-4831-a2ba-9e59df0a9868
Where have I heard that before? :)
egmont rapids
3 years ago
Thanks Rafe
I concur completly,and after going through the 2 most recent polls --The Angus Reid poll and the Ipsos reid poll.
It is quite apparent that the Ipsos Reis poll is hooped!
50 million plus in advertising and the Liberals got smoked in the bi-elections.
The detailed tables in the 2 polls are quite revealing.
Ipsos has the liberals leading in the GVRD --46% to 33% --now thats a laugh
Ipsos reid has the Liberals and NDP in a virtual tie on Vancouver island 43% to 41% --Now were getting silly
Angus Reid poll has the NDP leading in the GVRD by 4 points--That is a realistic number
Angus reid has the NDP leading on Vancouver island 50% to 39%--Historicaly that number is about right,considering all but three island ridings belong to the NDP and the island is an NDP stronghold.
Angus reid has the Liberals with a big lead in the northeast section of the province,historicaly that is a Liberal stronghold area.
So if you closely examine the 2 polls you will quickly realize that the Ipsos Reid poll is deeply flawed.
Something else about the last 12 or so Ipsos reid polls,they have all been clones! In BC that is unheard of! Since Canwest global partnered up with Ipsos reid in 2005 there has been something strangly wrong with their polls, I have never heard of any polling outfit have those type of consistant results,even with random phone polling just one of the polls should have registered a blip, polling or propoganda, I will let you readers decide.
Here are 3 links---The Angus reid poll--The Ipsos reid poll and a very interesting press release.
http://www.angus-reid.com/uppdf/2008.11_15BCPolitics_1pdf
http://www.ipsos-na.com/news/client/act_dsp_pdf.cfm?name=mr1117-2tb1.pdf&id=4177
http://www.ipsos.na.com/pressrelease.cfm?id=2838
You will notice the words (news/client/) in the Ipsos reid link---Don`t most companies go out of their way to please their clients?
As for Vaughn Palmer,I guess there are many once reputable columnists/reporters that are worried about keeping their jobs with the almighty Canwest/Global Monopoly!
egmont rapids
3 years ago
As for what Luke is spewing
Site c --Will never happen,there is not even a push from anyone to do-it,even if it was to proceed it would be more than a decade away.
Mica and Revelstoke, these are upgrades to existing facilities,it only makes sense to get as much as you can out of an existing dam.
Waneta dan expansion,again the same thing,but of course Luke fails to mention that BC Hydro has been banned,barred, from producing any NEW POWER AT NEW LOCATIONS.
Now why would a goverment write a LAW TO BAN A CROWN CORPORATION FROM PRODUCING NEW POWER FROM NEW LOCATIONS!
A very interesting question indeed,another note on site c--The fact that there is so many IPPs coming on line that there will never be a justification to build site c
The other argument LUKE and other spin doctors and the IPP club are going to make is--BC Hydro doesn`t have the know how!--Again,a laughable statement,run of river is very old,simple technology that BC Hydro has down for 40 years.
Run Of river is in fact,--A dam,you hold back water to turn turbines,or in some cases you don`t hold back water,but still the water gets diverted to turn turbines.
The case for private companies to make big profits on MY WATER and Future generations water has to be thrown out,in this global meltdown only a fool(or Gordon Campbell)would relinquish this permanent revenue stream from BCers.
By the way Luke,Rafe hasn`t written anything new here,like me and many others Rafe has a pulse on the mood of the BC voter.
Rafe has merely made a very wise and astute prediction!
CAN YOU NOW FIGURE IT OUT LUKE!
Jeffrey J.
3 years ago
Social Control: A Time Honoured Tradition
No, Rafe, you're not paranoid. But you will still be accused of such. North Americans who eschew scholastic research have embraced the new gobbledgook religion that states that all sociological analysis is simply a "conspiracy theory". But Europeans and early US intellectuals understood very well that the financial and political elites of a society still seek to directly influence public behavior.
In non-democracies, control is direct and forceful. But in the west, new methods have been developed giving citizens the appearance of "choice" while a minority imposes unilateral decisions upon the public.
Canada's elite have mimicked the techniques perfected by the right wing institutes in the US, such as the American Enterprise Institute (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/American_Enterprise_Institute_for_Public_Policy_Research), and the Heritage Foundation (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Heritage_foundation), which is why there is so little discussion in Canada of this well documented process. It also serves to keep dissent and activists like yourself off the front pages. We can't have that, you know,
As Linda McQuaig eloquently describes in her book Holding the Bully's Coat, Canadian right wing elites have latched onto the power of US imperialism, and are helping to deliver Canada's resources to those who will pay the highest price.
Both Campbell and Harper are unable to see Canada as a sovereign nation capable of making its own way in the world. Instead, they bask in the shadow of our neighbour, drawing strength from the bully, all the while, afraid of their own shadow.
How we can move past these limited men and their grip on a great country is the challenge.
Thanks Rafe for your ongoing courage to stand up for what's right.
egmont rapids
3 years ago
sorry about the Angus Reis link
here it is
http://www.angus-reid.com/uppdf/2008.11.15_BCPolitics_pdf
egmont rapids
3 years ago
I screwed up the link again,three times the charm
http://www.angus-reid.com/uppdf/2008.11.15_BCPolitics_1.pdf
egmont rapids
3 years ago
here is that press release
http://www.ipsos-na.com?news/pressrelease.cfm?id=2838
egmont rapids
3 years ago
Sorry broke my glasses
http://www.ipsos-na.com/news/pressrelease.cfm?id=2838
seth
3 years ago
luky in the sky again
Site C a pipe dream - handed out by Neocons to give talking points to Vaughn Palmer. Never will happen and will be blamed on environmentalists.
Other BC Hydro projects - really only there to provide Vaughn with more talking points - budget cutbacks will shut those down as well. Even assuming they all happen a pittance compared to tens of billions in neocon power commitments at 9 to 12 cent a kwh.
NDP in 1999- these were potential sites ie have a look see- tell us what you can do - we'll do lunch. Nothing like the 30 billion or so in committed buys at 2 to 3 times the going rate, Gordo and gang have shafted us with.
Glen Clark was in charge of the NDP in 1999. Who is he working for now and when did he start?
Our Civil Engineer friend who comments on these issues has pointed out that Pirate Power needs a 15% rate of return on their projects whereas BC Hydro sells 30 year bonds at 5%. Nuefeld and his gang have no problem handing out these lucrative deals as long as the campaign donation lolly keeps flowing.
You might take at look Hyperion Nuclear plants to get an idea of what future power commitments are worth. Works out to 3 cents a kwh and 50 plants have been sold so far for 2011 delivery.
Jaccard is simply a another Neocon mouthpiece with a BA from SFU. Couldn't find an alternator in a car engine. He thinks "Fish Farm and Drill Now" Campbell is a great environmentalist because he took 3 cents a gallon from the taxpayer and gave it to his big campaign donators at Humongous bank. Talk about Junior high level thinking?
Speaking of experts why is it do you think that Neufeld who might well nobody knows for sure but might have a high school diploma is handing out all the big contracts to Pirate Power, while Ralph Sultan P.Eng formerly Professor, Harvard Business School and Chief Economist, The Royal Bank of Canada sits on the back bench. Hmmm.
egmont rapids
3 years ago
here is an example
of some of the contractual agreements,but it`s only a part list of Campbell`s giveaways
http://www.canada.com/vancouversun/cloumnists/story.html?id=444b-4624-afbb-fb98ac8b799e
Thanks to Frank for keeping the column alive!
egmont rapids
3 years ago
sorry about the link
here it is,
http://www.canada.com/vancouversun/columnists/story.html?id=be4c05c2-444b-4624-afbb-fb98ac8b799e
just the short list of contractual debts Campbell has saddled us BCers with
Luke Skywalker
3 years ago
Marc Jaccard...
In the early 1990's, Harcourt's New Democrats gained control of the BC government. In their initial objective to put a new centrist face on government, they recruited some centrist professionals versed in public policy. One of those was Marc Jaccard:
http://www.canada.com/vancouversun/news/business/story.html?id=f05ec0bd-f3a8-4bfd-abe5-a06e09f13053&p=1
In any event, Jaccard, a Nobel Peace Prize recipient, certainly must have some credibility in terms of his work such as:
http://www.greenenergybc.ca/Assets/Jaccard.pdf
Now regarding IPP's, the province of Manitoba has a population of less than 1/4 that of BC.
Yet, Manitoba Hydro is also actively engaged in the pursuit of IPP power and the operating/proposed IPP MW generating capacity as a percentage/per capita of Manitoba apparently now exceeds that of BC.
Go figure!
You have the 99 MW St. Leon wind farm IPP.
And other Manitoba Hydro IPP's:
http://www.hydro.mb.ca/projects/wind_300mw_proposal.shtml
Based upon some of the previous posters' logic and reasoning, one can only conclude that Manitoba premier Gary Doer and the Manitoba New Democrats have now turned into neo-cons. ;)
northernspirits
3 years ago
in response to Luke
You are saying Rafe is wrong in stating BC Hydro's mandate for no new energy sources by listing the Mica Dam, Revelstoke Dam, site C, and the Waneta Dam expansion??
But Luke... these aren't new sources of energy. BC Hydro's mandate includes maintenance and expansion of existing projects which is what these are.
And site c won't be happening... they have to demonstrate a real need for the power which is hard to do when they are currently a net exporter as shown in their 2008 annual report.
People want 'green' renewable energies and conservation not an unnecessary destruction of a river valley with prime agricultural land and wildlife habitat. It seems wrong to me that BC Hydro can't have a hand in developing those 'green' renewable energies and that it has to be through IPPs who may not necessarily be keeping them 'green'.
egmont rapids
3 years ago
Luke
Who gives a shit about Manitoba,this is BC--By the way we are talking about RUN OF RIVER not wind power.
No one is buying your diversionary tactics,no-one,well maybe Wilfred Laurier
Speaking of wind power,it`s way to expensive and apparently hard to finance
Can you say bankruptcy protection
http://www.princegeorgecitizen.com/20081118162031/local/news/wind-farm-construction-continues.html
Frank
3 years ago
Luke
Leyne also said
"Jaccard himself said peer reviews are an important part of academic publishing. But he acknowledges they're usually done anonymously, prior to publication.
This one kicked off with a big news conference at a Vancouver hotel. And he was hired by outside interests to write it.
It reads more like a drive-by shooting than an academic review."
Jaccard is nothing more than a Liberal attack dog.
Luke Skywalker
3 years ago
northernspirits...
Here is what Rafe said:
That certainly flies in the face of the facts.
IPP production was already prevalent during the NDP government and was even encouraged in 1999 with the signing of new IPP Run of the River generating capacity.
As for BC Hydro, there was a period of time where it ran roughshod over any other stakeholder's interests... be it the environment or whatever:
http://www.greenenergybc.ca/Assets/Jaccard.pdf
BC Hydro has never been a saint within BC, albeit I support its crown corp. status in terms of public policy.
Frank
3 years ago
Socialists everywhere
"one can only conclude that Manitoba premier Gary Doer and the Manitoba New Democrats have now turned into neo-cons"
We have a Liberal government, we have medicare, ergo, Liberals are socialists.
Campbell supports a regressive carbon tax. So does the Green Party, ergo, Campbell is both a socialist and a Green.
The governor of California is a Republican. The premier of BC is a big fan of him and his policies, ergo, Campbell is a socialist, a Green and a Republican.
China calls itself communist, Campbell likes to fly there on a private jet and talk about what a great place it is, especially to do business, ergo, Campbell is a socialist, Green, Republican and communist.
Frank
3 years ago
Ergo
"albeit I support its crown corp. status in terms of public policy."
Then ergo, you're a socialist.
egmont rapids
3 years ago
EDITED FOR PERSONAL INSULTS -- TYE MODERATOR Luke
Alcan was a corrupt deal,BC built that power station for jobs,Alcan destroyed Kitimat for the sole purpose of becoming a private power seller!
The BCUC (british columbia utilities commision) initialy rejected Alcans bid to be able to sell our BCers power! But Campbell forced BC hydro to appeal on behalf of Alcan,ultimately BCUC relented and granted Alcan bid to be able to sell that power!
Like the BC courts and every other watchdog group has been corrupted by Campbell!
By the way,Gordon Campbell just happens to OWN A LARGE PORTFOLIO OF ALCAN STOCK---HMMMMM
Here are the sad facts on how Alcan screwed Kitimat and the people of BC -With a big helping hand from Gordon Campbell.
http:www.hydrofactsbc.ca/kitimat-and-alcan-mainmenu-32
egmont rapids
3 years ago
Here is that link on the Kitimat robbery
http://www.hydrofactsbc.ca/kitimat-and-alcan-mainmenu-32
egmont rapids
3 years ago
Who wants to read about the Sins of
Campbell--Read this story,be prepared to become infuriated.
This is what Campbell does that the mainstream media ignores. BC Liberals will reside in hell for their sins!
http://www.hydrofactsbc.ca/pdf/2007-01-19Courier_Islander.pdf
seth
3 years ago
Pirate Power
Lukey's Jarrard opinion piece comes straight out of Milton Friedmans totally discredited (read George Bush) Chicago school of economics. As you watch the US banking system collapse you can thank thinkers like Jarrard and colleagues for leading the way. Neocons love to call themselves centrists
We don't see Manitoba Hydro offering ludicrous power rates to Pirate Power and Manitoba Hydro is not prohibited to build its own.
When one looks at the failing Prince George Wind project, Plutonics Toba inlet operation and the Upper Mamquam run of the river operation, we see using BC Hydro's 5 percent cost of money these projects come in at 3 to 6 cents a kwh. When we run the data with Pirate Power's 15 percent cost of money we see where the guarantee of 9 to 12 cents comes in.
Funny our Skywalking friend should mention Alcan. It generates power at .5 cents a kwh and sells it to the BCHydro at 5 cents. BChydro could have built that project itself but WAC wrote a contract stating Alcan power was to be used to make aluminum. With a few campaign donations in pocket, Gordos gang with Wallyball as the peoples attorney let them slip out of that contract.
Luke Skywalker
3 years ago
Seth....
Firstly get your facts straight man! :)
The Kitimat smelter and the Kemano hydro-electric project began construction in 1951 and were completed in 1954. The BC Electric Company was the dominant private provincial electrical utility at the time.
WAC Bennett and the Socreds did not achieve power until later in 1952 and did not receive a majority government until 1953.
BC Hydro was not set-up until ~ten years later in 1962.
jimmy_laroux
3 years ago
Luke Skywalker
So because the NDP did it, it's a good idea? Since when are you such an NDP fanboy?
Totally dishonest, as usual. You include nothing factual from Jaccard in your post, just excerpts from some rather shoddy journalism from the Times Colonist describing a verbal offensive by Jaccard on Shaffer & Calvert.
The article does mention, however, that the Independent Power Producers of BC "hired a professor of their own to go after the SFU duo," meaning Jaccard. The article mentions that IPPBC have "millions of dollars at stake in this argument." I wonder what IPPBC is paying Jaccard.
jimmy_laroux
3 years ago
For those interested...
Here is Shaffer's paper:
http://www.citizensforpublicpower.ca/files/uploads/_Critique_of_BC_Energy_Plan_October_2007_doc.pdf
Here is Jaccard's "review":
http://www.ippbc.com/media/Jaccard%20Peer%20Review%20of%20Liquid%20Gold%20&%20Lost%20in%20Transmission.pdf
And here is Shaffer's response:
http://www.citizensforpublicpower.ca/files/uploads/ffer_-_Response_to_Jaccard_s_review_Oct_2008.pdf
Luke Skywalker
3 years ago
jimmy_laroux....
Of course... you are jimmy_laroux. ;)
Au contraire:
Fact: Jaccard was/is a highly respected Simon Fraser University energy economist;
Fact: Jaccard is a Nobel laureate;
Fact: Jaccard was appointed by the New Democrat Harcourt government as chair of the BC Utilities Commission to oversee BC Hydro;
Fact: When academics publish papers, peer review is a common activity for academics;
Fact: When Shaffer and Calvert published their papers there was no peer review;
Fact: Jaccard is a member of the leading international journal in energy economics and policy – The Energy Journal – which has a rejection rate of 80-85%;
Fact: As a member of its editorial board, Jaccard is often asked to provide anonymous peer reviews;
Fact: Jaccard was therefore requested to write an "after-the-fact" peer review of both the Shaffer and Calvert papers by the IPPBC;
Fact: "Peer reviewers are also expected to be completely independent. While my CV demonstrates my independence,
I also include the main clauses from the contract I signed with the IPPBC, which guarantee public release of my review regardless of its conclusions."
Fact: In his "after-the-fact" peer review, Jaccard made these findings:
a) "My recommendation would be against publication until substantial revisions were made" [Shaffer]
b) As for Calvert, his book "is best read as a political propaganda tract," "The author does not present a balanced weighing of the evidence... Facts are wrong ... evidence is distorted in a manner that consistently supports a sinister conspiracy theory."
While typical peer reviews are undertaken by up to 5 anonymous reviewers, both Shaffer and Calvert refused to have any.
Speaks volumes.
And I will again repost Jaccard's review as, IMHO, it's a reasonable and intelligent read:
http://www.greenenergybc.ca/Assets/Jaccard.pdf
jimmy_laroux
3 years ago
Luke Skywalker
In fact the first microhydro assessment was begun in 1983 under the Socreds. According to BC Hydro:
http://www.bchydro.com/etc/medialib/internet/documents/environment/pdf/environment_microhydro_inventory_pdf.Par.0001.File.environment_microhydro_inventory.pdf
The purchase of electricity from IPPs has increased dramatically over the last few years. From a previous thread... In 1999 BC Hydro was paying one tenth that, 0.56 cents per kWh, for electricity it generated, and 5.69 cents per kWh. It was buying 1,839 GWh of electricity from IPPs, a fair chunk (~40% if memory serves)of which was from the Island Cogeneration Plant.
http://www.bchydro.com/etc/medialib/internet/documents/info/pdf/info_2000_annual_report.Par.0001.File.info_2000_annual_report.pdf
Currently BC Hydro pays 61.39 $ per MWh for IPP generated electricity, and 6.10 $ per MWh for its own power. It now buys 7,765 GWh from IPPs.
http://www.bchydro.com/etc/medialib/internet/documents/info/pdf/info_annual_report_2008.Par.0001.File.info_annual_report_2008.pdf
From the same report...
So BC Hydro will nearly double purchases from IPPs in the coming years. Purchases which, so far, cost roughly ten times as much as power generated by BC Hydro.
So BC Hydro has gone from ~1800 GWh of IPP purchases in 1999 to ~15000 GWh, almost a tenfold increase.
egmont rapids
3 years ago
Luke, EDITED FOR PERSONAL INSULTS -- TYEE MODERATOR
Dr. Jaccard was PAID BY THE IPPs TO DO A PEER REVEIW!
They weren`t paying him to agree with Proffessor Shaffer`s thourough and accurate work!
Dr Jaccard is a money whore,he has lost all credability,he is being paid by the IPPs and by Gordon Campbell,that is more than the appearence of conflict of interest,IT IS CONFLICT OF INTEREST!
He is not an independent/nuetrol arbiter,he works for the IPPS, in other words Jaccard is a PAID LOBBYIST.
http://www.hydrofactsbc.ca/pdf/2007-01-19Courier_Islander.pdf
Luke,you still don`t understand the premise of Rafe`s story/Run of river is one of many things that is going to see Campbell reduced to 20 seats in the may 12/2009 election.
Luke you know and I know and Campbell knows the last Ipsos reid poll is slop,aint worth the paper it`s written on!
You think a 70$ dollar tax cut is going to make up for the big honking hydro bill everyone will be getting in these next few months!
Your man is done! I am expecting another rough ride for Campbell in the legislature tommorrow.
Luke,even people who don`t like the NDP hate Campbell even more,BCers are just licking their chops to send Campbell packing,people just don`t like him,and you know what,Campbell thinks if he keeps advertising,keeps showing his face,he will eventually win people over.
Well he`s wrong,people cringe at the site of him,every goverment ad people get the image of Campbell in their mind and get angry,or throw up.
Lately even on Global news,the reporters/hosts seem to be happy,happy about reporting the bi-election wins,the gregor win,they might have to report the Campbell/photo-ops,but their not happy about it!
Luke,the levee has broke,Campbell is done,there is nothing he can do,it`s over,period!
jimmy_laroux
3 years ago
Luke Skywalker
Wrong. Again. You did not quote any of Jaccard's argument, just a bunch of Jaccard's ad hominem verbal attacks from the Times Colonist article. Have you forgotten what you've written already? If you have, the post is still up the thread for you to refresh your memory.
And Shaffer and Calvert are also respected SFU economists.
You state that
Oh give me a break. Him and how many hundreds of others, no matter the size or quality of their contribution?
http://www.ipcc.ch/pdf/press-ar4/ipcc-flyer-low.pdf
He's not even a climate change scientist. In fact, he's not a scientist at all, rather an economist.
And neither was there a peer review of Jaccard's very public, very antagonistic "review". And he was the only one to "review".
Haha! Right... Looks like IPPBC made a great investment! :)
Hughes
3 years ago
Where is the salvo of
Where is the salvo of investigative reporting the likes of which sank the fast ferries? It's not like there's a lack of targets off the starboard bow:
Raid on the legistature
Convention centre $
Les' real estate scam
Olympic $
IPPs
PPPs
ALR
expansion of fish farming
expansion of gambling
Gateway (an environmental disaster in the making)
Liberal advertizing
to rattle off a few. Care to add any more?
Grumpy
3 years ago
And is this the same Jaccard...........
....who champions the carbon/RAV tax? No credibility at all!
seth
3 years ago
BCHydro's Pirate Power losses hit 100 billion
Future headlines but entirely possible with a last minute pre-election sell-off in an effort to cement the BC Cabinet's post election promotion to the private sector. Bill Clinton was almost broke in 2000 now he's worth 100's of millions all through big favors from the Pirate sector - lucrative consulting contracts, board of directors positions, speaking engagements. Could the same happen here?
Looking at Egmont Rapids' Vancouver Sun link, we see in July 2007 Gordo inked contracts adding $15 billion to the existing $13 billion in Pirate Power contracts. Presumably he added another 15 by July this year, and who knows another $15 billion by election time next year? Or Could the pre election employment blitz add another 50 billion? Unlikely but possible.
Thanks to Professor Shaffer we see that the new Pirate Power contracts are coming in now starting at 9 cents/kwh. These contract obligations grow to 12 cents over the life of the contracts. Professor Shaffer makes the point that because Pirate wind and run of the river power peaks at the wrong times and is inconsistent that power is worth much less than steady state sources. Some reports discount this type of power at 50% ie 18 to 24 cent a kwh. Nuclear is now coming in at projected costs (Hyperion) of less than 3 cents a kwh (1 cent when used as cogen). Also capital intensive Pirate Power projects need a 15 percent return on investment in order to raise money from hedge funds. BC Hydro with its 5 percent bond rate could do the projects at less than half the cost. Professor Shaffer also points out that these projects have short lead times so there is no rush to meet uncertain power demands. Hyperion nuclear plants are projected at 2 year leads.
It appears that Gordo and thugs will have committed the BC Taxpayer to spend in the order of 50 billion dollars when 10 billion some time maybe in the future would do. 100 times the money lost on fast ferries. Future historians will view this government as Joey Smallwood on steriods, the most incompetent in Canadian history.
Name
3 years ago
Join the club
No Rafe, you're not paranoid - I feel exactly the same way, as I'm sure do most others.
Part of the problem I see is our fractured society - it's pretty impossible for our media to reflect us all if we're all over the map.
The other part is the MSM. News is reported, edited and managed by folks who are mostly 50+ white "Liberal" parents of grown kids, who are also homeowners living in upscale neighbourhoods with mortgages and significant stock/RRSP portfolios, just hanging on for retirement and too comfortable or tired of bad news issues to really bother making waves about anything, so they sit around poking fun at Harper and Layton to convince themselves they're still holding the objective Liberal middle ground, without realizing how out-of-touch and anachronism their 30-year old "objective Liberal middle ground" has become.
I look forward to all the exceptions to my appalling MSM stereotype stepping forward to defend their unique individuality, so that we can talk more about problem #3, which is that the MSM's preoccupation with mindless trivia prevents their ever dealing with the forest for the trees.
egmont rapids
3 years ago
Offensive,what did I say?
Did one paticular cry baby push the offensive button,there is only one "offensive" poster on this site,we all know who it is!
Sorry Tyee
I will go out of my way to make sure I don`t offend our local WAH WAH WAH cry-baby
dave49
3 years ago
My theory
It's my theory that Gordo & Co. would have sold off BCH if they could have done it. However, their in-house polling crew got such a negative reaction to the idea that they had to be more clever. Thus, about a third of BCH's function has been contracted out to Accenture and the transmission function split off.
Given the failures and scandals of free-market electricity trading it is odd that the Liberals decided to split off BCTC when they did.
Our MSM is disappointing indeed. They never really reported what was happening with Kyoto. Yes, Chretien and subsequently Martin made strong commitments. So we Canadians wrapped ourselves in the maple leaf and denounced the USA. While Bush & Co. at the federal level of the USA rejected Kyoto, many states enacted various legislation and programs to reduce GHG output. As a result, GHG emissions from the USA decreased while they *increased* from Canada. THe MSM has allowed us this think we took the high road and behaved the 'right way', when in fact we deluded ourselves and continued to spout ever-increasing quantities of GHGs.
alda
3 years ago
political paranoia
No, Rafe, you're not paranoid, you're finally seeing things as they are:
1. You're waking up to the reality that if you're not the party in power you HAVE NO POWER
#2. You now understand that the right wing, previously centrist-right, has moved to the far corporate right, moving left parties to center. Issues of common good that in previous decades would receive some semblance of lip service and the toss of a few coins here and there to give the appearance that the government cares, no longer matter, AT ALL.
Jeffrey J's says it best:
"But in the west, new methods have been developed giving citizens the APPEARANCE of "choice" while a minority imposes unilateral decisions upon the public."
That sentence puts things in a nutshell; you need know no other information to understand how our society works, except that those unilateral decisions are made by the minority FOR the minority, and no one else, and issues of the public good won't get the time of day by the corporate owned media. Frustrating, isn't it?
leem
3 years ago
Am I paranoid?
Rafe, you're not paranoid. You just know your topic ;) When the mainstream news "outlets" present more AP 'stories' than locally written ones, we have a problem with our information system. When our government officials sit back and quote the quotes they read in the newspaper, without ever getting into the issues themselves, then we are being governed by puppets. When the corporate elite are allowed to buy up other country's resources, and those countries will even pay out compensation (!) if said corporations run into any red tape, then that is the mark of a fascist governing system. Campbell may as well be wearing a brown shirt with the red armband, because that's what our country has become. And unfortunately, I'm guessing Luke Skywalker won't be coming to our assistance- he's too busy playing with his light sabre.
SharingIsGood
3 years ago
Not paranoid
Rafe, as Aldo, Name and Jeffery have stated, you are NOT paranoid.
You are not delusional nor is your fear irrational.
I might add to Aldo's statement that not only must you be the party in power, your party must adher to objectivism and the Chicago School of Economics. The media is, now more than ever, BIG BUSINESS. Your lawsuit with one particular corporation, though not lost by you, most likely served to have you blacklisted - at the very least, given a small platform on a back page somewhere. After all, they looked for oportunities to use the "Shock Jock" moniker for you.*
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Objectivism_(Ayn_Rand)
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Chicago_School_(economics)
There is little more fantasticly poetic in nature than the return of ocean-going salmonids to spawn in the fresh water of their birth. Further, it brings vast quantities of nutrients to nutrient starved rainforests and sun-parched interior lands. Rafe, you are a great hero for wildlife and humans alike.
Illegitimi Non Carborundum
*(I hope to see that label removed from the court record. That label gives the court the appearance of being bought and paid for by the media even though it ruled the right way for you.)
Best wishes, SIG
UnCivilizedEngineer
3 years ago
Rafe's Position is as "disingenuous" as anyone's
Quote:
"3. Its transmission lines have been taken from them and given to a new Crown corporation, British Columbia Transmission Corporation (BCTC). In view of the Campbell government's policy that power will be created and sold through the private sector, I predict that as sure as God made little green apples, the government will, if re-elected, sell it to a private corporation."
This is actually incorrect. BC Hydro owns the assets and the ROWs. BCTC operates, maintains and plans the system. (http://www.bctc.com/about_bctc/)
In any case, Rafe's rants every two weeks have little to do with renewable energy and the environment and everything to do with politics, which is possibly why no one wants to listen to poor Rafe - that and he's probably pissed off just about every media outlet within shouting distance.
Plus comments like the one I've quoted. The Libs created BCTC before they were re-elected in 2005. If they haven't privatized it by now, why ever? No one would want to buy the transmission system anyway - it's got billions in replacement/upgrade costs to deal with in the next 20 years.
The reason why transmission operation was separated from generation was so we are still allowed to buy/sell electricty in the US market - otherwise the US FERC would say "sorry we won't deal with you". Hence why Hydro-Quebec and Manitoba Hydro both also have separated transmission operators.
Yes Rafe, in this case you are paranoid. BC Hydro is here to stay, in public hands. As for Rafe's agenda - I can't figure out where he's headed other than he's got a big grudge against the current govt.
Steppenwolf
3 years ago
Truth Time
Luke Skywalker wrote:
>>>Rafe, as the facts have been previously stated again and again...
1. Mica Dam - etc.
Rafe, with all due respect, I just simply cannot see how you can make your aforementioned statement with a straight face. :)<<<<
He can say it with a straight face because it's true.
The power projects you mention are not new forms of clean energy, which is what he is rightfully upset about. Rather, they are long-scheduled power upgrades on existing hydro facilities. That's hardly unveiling:
https://www.bchydro.com/etc/medialib/internet/documents/appcontent/your_account/Reinvesting_for_Generations.Par.0001.File.policies55154.pdf
This economy-wrecking Liberal regime has in fact blocked BC Hydro from developing new power sources, such as solar, wind, tidal, etc. because it is pushing for useless private power initiatives, which is the main reason why we are seeing a 25 per cent rise in our utility rates--to pay for a bunch of profiteering do-nothings, while Hydro, with its huge economies of scale advantage, has to revive ecologically damaging projects like Site C in order to meet rising power demands.
http://www.citizensforpublicpower.ca/node/102
http://www.hydrofactsbc.ca/pdf/The_Legacy_of_Private_Power.pdf
Not to mention that many of these private initiatives are run-of-the-river generators with their own record of serious ecological damage
http://www.sierraclub.bc.ca/local-groups/Quadra-Island/publications/run-of-river-power-another-reckless-bc-gold-rush
Instead of worrying about how he keeps a straight face, you might start wondering how the BC Liars, who in eight years have reduced this province into a poverty-stricken bottom-of-the-heapsweatshop prison camp and call it a success, can show their faces in public.
jwlaurie
3 years ago
Blame
Oh please, when will we ever stop using the past performance of other governments as points of discussion or defense?
That alone points out the weakness of either political parties stance on any particular matter . . . state the facts and quote the history in non political terms and for god's sake . . . get on with the issues at hand!
IPP's are the scourge of my province. When you add up all the waste and destruction of IPP's as opposed to adding one new dam, (Site "C") there is absolutely no comparison. Better we lose one relatively small amount of green space and environmental real estate vs the blight on the landscape that 600+ IPP proposals will invade us with!
I and the natives before me own this land and we DO NOT WANT IT GOING TO FOREIGN CORPORATIONS UNDER ANY CIRCUMSTANCES. NO WAY,NO HOW!
anarcho
3 years ago
Leftism, my arse
If opposition to the PIRATIZATION of our hydro power is "leftist" what does that make WAC Bennett? Fidel Castro?
egmont rapids
3 years ago
Jw Laurie
I couldn`t agree with you more,unfortunately some of the BC Cheifs are willing to allow this to happen!
They have been blinded by the lure of promised riches from the IPPs and Gordon Campbell.
Not only will they be disappointed but the junior members of these bands will receive nothing.
It is quite unfortunate that SOME of the cheifs have learned quite well from whitey politicians(Lie,cheat,steal and promise the moon to the under class)
It doesn`t help with the cause when ever the NDP or save our rivers or regular BCers complain about a RUN of RIVER project the BC Liberals use some NATIVE BAND and CHEIF`s name and claim we are against the "New Relationship"
No I am not painting all FIRST NATIONS with a broad brush stroke, I just find it sad that many have lost their way,even among FIRST NATIONS
bilgladstone
3 years ago
Beautiful British
Beautiful British Columbia
The Greatest Place on Sale.
pmagn@yahoo.com
3 years ago
I know how you feel - where
I know how you feel - where is the coverage for Climate Change in the main press.
Its the single issue which we all should be concerned about, but due to the media's lack of responsible reporting the public has no idea how serious it is.
Global Temperature Record
CO2 Vs Mass extinctions
inwonderment
3 years ago
Use of term Nobel Laureate
Luke Skywalker stated “In any event, Jaccard, a Nobel Peace Prize recipient, certainly must have some credibility in terms of his work”
I was annoyed when a journalist kept referring to Dr. Andrew Weaver as a Nobel Prize winning scientist so I checked with with the Nobel Committee. The wonder of modern electronic communications and the following is the responsce I received.
“Thank you for your email and interest in the Nobel Prize. The term Nobel
Laureate is also used for organizations. In the case of IPCC, the
organisation is referred to as the Nobel Peace Prize Laureate. Please
note that Rajendra Pachauri, the Chairman of the Intergovernmental Panel
on Climate Change (IPCC) and the individual members are NOT Nobel Peace
Prize Laureates.”
Luke Skywalker
3 years ago
All Politics... All the Time
The real world might be a bit different...
Look up at the photo in this story... the Ashlu Creek IPP.
The same Ashlu Creek IPP that was approved by the NDP government in August, 1996:
In 1999, BC Hydro, under NDP management, decides to have all micro-hydro ("Green energy) development through IPP's...They provide all IPP's with a list of 600 rivers and an outline on how to seek approval.
No one ever made a peep.
The current government continues with NDP policy on IPP's. The puny MW stuff.
Most IPP's also have a First Nations/municipal component. Just ask New Democrat Leonard Krog. The NDP now agrees with First Nations involvement in IPP's. They have been getting too much heat on that matter from First Nations.
The Manitoba New Democrats also are pursuing IPP's through wind energy - very expensive in terms of cost per KwH.
No one makes a peep. Perhaps some BC'ers should go protest in front of the Manitoba Legislature regarding the Manitoba New Democrat's "Pirate Power". Evil neo-con ideology should first be extinguished there, n'est pas? If it can't be stopped in Manitoba... ;)
As for privatization of BC Hydro... here's a Mustel poll from wayyyyy back in 2002:
http://www.mustelgroup.com/pr/20020621.htm
westcoastindienews
3 years ago
Reality vs. Manufactured Reality
It isn't paranoid if someone really _is_ out to get you, or at least silence you and your perspective, especially if it doesn't gel with your corporate/government friends and advertisers.
This issue can't be new to you, Rafe. BC has one of the highest media concentrations in North American (can anyone say CanWest? Without being sued? ;-)
That why the Internet and alternative media like the Tyee & bloggers are so important to free speech and democracy, both in BC and Canada.
Some people can talk til the cows come home, the fact is that the bad fiscal management and governance of the current, but soon to be gone, BC Liberal government will be coming home to roost faster than you can bat an eye. They have been privatizing things incrementally over the past 7 years and in many respects, it's cost taxpayers and the province billions in lost revenue, in lost resources, in our future. There are lots of money trails to follow, it's all just a matter of time.
Did anyone see how nervous Colin Hanson was tonight with the province's quarterly report? I'm curious whether our government may be involved in a little storytime about how our books are really looking, or what other little economic and financing problems are brewing in the background.
http://westcoastindienews.blogspot.com/
egmont rapids
3 years ago
Good eye`s Westindienews
In the legislature today --I noticed Colin Hansen looks like he has aged 10 years since last week.
When I questioned Colin Hansen today on the Christy Clark show on CKNW (Michael Smyth was hosting the show)he waffled around answering my questions
I asked Hansen why are BC debt has risen by billions in this so-called boom era and I asked him about the contractual debt BCers are saddled with.
Michael Smyth followed up my question and again asked Hansen has our BC debt gone up since 2001--Finally Hansen answered yes,then Hansen went about fumbling the numbers about debt to GDP ratio and lower goverment operating costs.
The remaining calls to Hansen were ALL NEGATIVE,one caller complaining about higher hydro rates and new user fees,another caller complained why he hadn`t received his green rebate from the province,considering he goy his federal rebate months ago,Hansen responded to EMAIL HIS OFFICE( But he didn`t even know his email address)
The Liberal charade is over,looking at the goverment side at the legislature,they all look like walking,talking corpses,if they were on trial,the goverment appears to be ready to plead GUILTY and BEG THE COURT FOR LENIENCY!
egmont rapids
3 years ago
Read my lips
Another good column by Craig Mcinnes
http://www.canada.com/vancouversun/news/story.html?id=6e1625bf-d31e-4cf7-8c9a-79d6a418957c
jimmy_laroux
3 years ago
Luke Skywalker
Oh really?
Is your point that because the NDP did it it's good? Will you be voting for them this coming May? Or is your point that because the NDP did it it's bad, and thus also bad for the Liberals to do it?
You make one of your characteristically misleading statements. The 13% of BC's total domestic electricity requirements purchased from IPPs is by no means "puny". As I posted above, electricity purchases from IPPs will increase almost tenfold from ~1800 GWh of electricity in 1999 to ~15000 GWh, almost a increase. According to BC Hydro:
What have we here?
"Very expensive" is precisely the problem with IPP electricity purchases. Thank you for emphasising that point.
EDITED FOR PERSONAL INSULTS -- TYEE MODERATOR
Frank
3 years ago
inwonderment
Thank you for pointing out Jaccard is not a Nobel Prize laureate. Jaccard himself liked riding that coattail.
Skywalker
3 years ago
Rafe
No, you are not paranoid. The media has tried every old trick to make sure that certain issues never get coverage. All Luke's posting don't change the reality and I have a chuckle everytime I hear "the NDP hired Jaccard, so everything Jaccard says must be NDP Gospel and if it isn't then the NDP are off the mark" or some such other nonsense. I think you set out the process the liberals are using clearly. There is definitely a hidden agenda.
pmagn@yahoo.com
3 years ago
green protest
hey this looks like a great green way to protest.
Come on all climate change activist use your airports in the most effective way…
Protesters swarm Thai airport, takeoffs suspended
http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2008/11/25/protesters-swarm-thai-air_n_146389.html
murdock
3 years ago
Well said Name!
The MSM production and its attendant parts also have 'motivated self interests'.
These are more often than not the real reason for the news that makes it to the screen every night.
So Name, you have it mostly right as to why these issues so near and dear to Rafe do not get coverage on the nightly news cast.
Rafe, another reason for less coverage is the lack of a good sound bite about any of them.
Start writing some good sound bites and get them broadcast in any way you can...I seem to recall you having a limited plan of net-casting...what happened to that? At least it was a way to take control of the web-airwaves and work your own message.