Editor,
We have carefully read the article Agreement reached between power company and First Nations group (from the Dec. 3, 2014, issue of the Times Review) and we are thankful for the interest you have shown in this topic. We are surprised that you have included some statements from Mr. Michael Watson, a person totally alien to the issuers of the news release, without contrasting with them Mr. Watson’s considerations. In any case, we are happy to take advantage of this opportunity to clarify his inaccurate comments.
First of all, the infrastructure upgrades that the Fosthall project triggers are also beneficial to the collective use. Please, do not forget that the amount BC Hydro will pay for these upgrades is minimal. On the other hand, Fosthall Creek Power will provide long-term clean energy to the province’s grid, will generate a positive economic impact in a region that certainly needs it, will increase the power capacity of the province without transferring investment risk to the public sector, will build some infrastructures with an extensive lifetime and a series of numerous advantages that largely compensate the low contribution of Crown corporations to the infrastructures upgrades.
The fish habitat conditions associated to the Fosthall Creek Project will be preserved by the numerous environmental and water flow commitments that the provincial and federal agencies have required of the project. Furthermore, as the article states, the footprint of the power plant includes the construction of a new spawning channel.
We appreciate your time and consideration to this new investment that will help to revitalize the economy of the West Kootenays and will generate clean energy for British Columbia.
Faithfully,
Splatsin Nation, Sorgent.e Hydro Canada and Fosthall Creek Power Ltd.