Proposed Northwest Transmission Line

Transcription

1 Proposed Northwest Transmission Line Public open houses: Smithers March 31, 2009 Hudson Bay Lodge Terrace April 1, 2009 Coast Inn of the West Stewart April 2, 2009 Al Lawrence Memorial Arena

2 Overview About BCTC Proposed Northwest Transmission Line (NTL) - Overview - Route options - Right-of-way and structures Consultation Environmental studies Milestones Questions 2

3 About BCTC Independent Crown Corporation - Regulated by the BC Utilities Commission - Reports to the Ministry of Energy, Mines and Petroleum Resources Responsible for planning, building, operating and maintaining the Province s grid in a safe, reliable and cost-effective manner - $5.3 billion, 10-year capital plan - Long-Term Transmission Vision (30-year road map) 3

4 The Transmission System More than 18,000 km of transmission lines 75,000 hectares of ROW Close to 300 stations State of the art system control centre and backup facility Interconnections to USA and Alberta 4

5 Key: Red: 500kv Blue: 287 kv Green: 230 kv Dark blue: 138 kv Black: 69 kv 5

6 Potential NTL ~ 335 km, 287 kv transmission line Skeena substation (Terrace) to possible new substation near Bob Quinn Lake Alternative routes being studied in some locations ~ $400 million (2007 estimate); private-public partnership 6

7 Right of way ROW width: 38 m Extra one-time clearing on each side for security of line 7

8 Possible structure types 8

9 Potential benefits If NTL is constructed, it could provide: - Reliable, clean electricity supply to attract and support new industrial developments such as mines which could support overall economic growth - Secure grid connection to new sources of clean electricity (IPPs) - Potential to connect communities reliant on diesel generation to a cleaner power supply, if they wish 9

10 Key dates to December 2007 May 4, 2007: BCTC applied to BCEAO, requesting that NTL be accepted for review under the BC Environmental Assessment Act June 1, 2007: BCEAO accepted NTL for review and posted project description Nov 12, 2007: BCEAO issued Section 11 Order Nov 13, 2007: BCEAO posted draft Terms of Reference (TOR) for EA Application; public comment period started November 26, 2007: NTL put on hold Dec 5, 2007: Public comment period suspended 10

11 Current phase of NTL Province announces funding Sept. 26, 2008, to continue the environmental assessment and consultation processes This will lead to the preparation of an Application for an Environmental Assessment Certificate Province seeking a partner to contribute towards construction costs No plans to file the Application or to construct NTL until funding gap is addressed 11

12 Terms of Reference Consultation with Nisga a Nation, First Nations, agencies, stakeholders and public Specifies studies to be conducted and information requirements to be provided in Application for an Environmental Assessment Certificate Assessment work has been contracted to Rescan Environmental Services Ltd., with professional and technical field assistance by First Nations and Nisga a Nation 12

13 Nisga a and First Nations consultation Led by BC Hydro s Aboriginal Relations and Negotiations team First Nations with interests in NTL, and Nisga a Nation, are encouraged to participate throughout the planning process, environmental assessment, and other regulatory or approval processes related to NTL First Nations and Nisga a Nation participation facilitated through funding 13

14 First Nations consultation First Nations participating in consultation process include: - Kitselas First Nation - Kitsumkalum First Nation - Lax Kw alaams First Nation - Metlakatla First Nation - Gitxsan - Skii km Lax Ha Nation - Tahltan - Gitanyow Hereditary Chiefs 14

15 Public consultation Led by BCTC Community Relations. Goals: - Provide information and receive feedback through meetings with stakeholders and public; web and updates; and other communications materials - Identify opportunities for public input into NTL and encourage public involvement in the EA process for NTL Going forward: - Continue to update and offer meetings to interested stakeholder groups - Arrange public meetings in support of EA process (e.g., during public comment period for draft Terms of Reference) 15

16 Study topics Meteorology & Air Quality Noise Visual Quality Soils Geotechnical & Natural Hazards Physiography & Topography Geology & Geochemistry Hydrology Hydrogeology Archaeology Traditional Use Traditional Knowledge Ecosystem Mapping Vegetation Wildlife Fisheries Aquatics Wetlands Socio-economics Land Use Public Health Transportation & Utilities 16

17 Studies Meteorology/Air quality: historic and current conditions; potential impacts of weather and air quality on transmission line Visual quality: potential effect of project on visually sensitive areas, such as parks, communities, viewsheds, etc. Noise: existing noise levels and potential changes during project construction and operation 17

18 Studies (cont d) Soils: determine which soils in project area are sensitive to degradation/erosion Geotechnical/Natural hazards: assess terrain stability in project area (e.g., seismic, volcanic, land movement, etc.) Physiography/Topography: key features in area, such as mountains, watercourses, wetlands, etc. 18

19 Studies (cont d) Geology/geochemistry: characterization of representative rock types; determination of metal leaching/acid rock drainage Hydrology: surface water quantity conditions Hydrogeography: characteristics of any ground water aquifers, esp. at proposed substation and work camp sites 19

20 Studies (cont d) Vegetation and Ecosystem mapping: inventory of plant species and ecosystems Wildlife: habitat mapping and surveys of ungulates, grizzly bear, birds, bats, species at risk 20

21 Studies (cont d) Fisheries: fish presence and habitat quality for watercourses crossed by potential project Aquatics: aquatic communities and habitat in watercourses crossed by potential project Wetlands: types, sizes locations and functions; plant species, soil and water characteristics; reliant wildlife 21

22 Studies (cont d) Public Health: audible noise, EMF, domestic water quality/supply, country foods Socio-economic: community well-being economic, services, employment, infrastructure, etc. Land use: forestry, mining, traplines, fishing/angling, guideoutfitting, tourism, residential, etc. Transportation, Utilities air, land and water transportation corridors; utilities (gas, electric, sewers, etc.) 22

23 Studies (cont d) Archaeology: archaeological overview assessment; based on AOA determine if archaeological impact assessment required in any portion of study area Traditional Knowledge & Use: First Nations with traditional territory in proposed project area hold unique knowledge Nisga a Nation rights and interests: Nisga a Nation has unique knowledge of Nisga a lands, Nass area and Nass wildlife area BCTC working with First Nations and Nisga a Nation to support community-directed studies 23

24 Environmental Management Program BCTC Construction Environmental Management Plans and Operational Environmental Management Programs - Construction EMPs describe the environmental practices and procedures to be applied during the construction of the project - Operational EM Programs include existing provincial procedures, systems, principles and plans applied during operations and which may be periodically updated 24

25 Upcoming milestones June 2009: Finalize TOR; complete studies and effects assessments Sept 2009: Application for EA Certificate ready for filing 25

26 NTL Project Organization Chart BCTC Steering Committee (David Emerson, Doug Little, John Irving, Bruce Barrett, Julius Pataky, Janet Woodruff) BCTC Project Delivery Team PM (Tim Jennings) BCTC System Planning (Phil Park) FN s (BCH ARN Jeremy Higham) Environmental Consultant (Rescan Rolf Schmitt) Community Relations (Lesley Wood) Properties (BCH - Sharon Szameit) BCH Engineering (Pat Siega) 26

27 QUESTIONS? 27