The government of British Columbia has approved a nine-billion-dollar hydroelectric project that would flood more than 5,500 hectares in the Peace River Valley. Aboriginal and environmental groups oppose the plan.
“Affordable, reliable, clean electricity is the backbone of British Columbia’s economy,” said the province’s Premier Christy Clark, noting the Site C Clean Energy Project will provide a renewable source of power for the province’s growing population. It is projected to provide eight per cent of the total energy needed.
Decision to proceed called ‘incrediby-shortsighted and stupid’
While the energy eventually produced by the project would be “clean,” the flooding to create it is known to release big quantities of a greenhouse gas that contributes to climate change. The Sierra Club of B.C. said that destroying a fertile valley capable of feeding one million people makes no sense in the context of climate change and food shortages.
The Union of B.C. Indian Chiefs has declared that site C “will never see the light of day.”
“We believe it to be an incredibly short-sighted and stupid decision, said Grand Chief Stewart Philip.”It’s not about the money. It’s about the environment, it’s about the land — about constitutional rights, treaty rights and so on and so forth. It’s about a way of life.”
Another area chief said there are many sacred sites on the land.
For reasons beyond our control, and for an undetermined period of time, our comment section is now closed. However, our social networks remain open to your contributions.