Re: 鈥淕overnment plans $1.1B bailout to plug B.C. Hydro losses on power projects,鈥� Feb. 15.
The situation we are facing with the recent B.C. Hydro bailout of $1.1 billion is, at first glance, unfortunate. The rationale behind the clean-energy bill created by the Gordon Campbell-led B.C. Liberal government was, in my opinion, sound and responsible.
As a province, it is essential that we provide clean-energy security, so does that mean we should give out fat independent-power-producer contracts that will shackle B.C. Hydro ratepayers with billions of dollars in energy costs? Probably not.
Reactionary measures such as cutting programs that encourage solar installations and energy conservation will prove unfortunate for energy security as we move into an ever-changing meteorological landscape full of unknowns.
According to a B.C. Hydro climate-change impact study: 鈥淢ore than 90 per cent of the electricity in British Columbia comes from falling water. 鈥� The amount of available water is directly affected by variations in climate.鈥�
The report also speaks to the decline in the water flow that is necessary to provide adequate electricity during the summer months. Imagine the coming heat waves and a community dependent on air conditioners.
Solar energy and other renewable energy sources will pay dividends when we need them, unlike the run-of-river power generation that creates energy when we are already overflowing in power.
Dion Hackett
Salt Spring Island
