Title: January 24th, 2005
1OUR ONLY OPPORTUNITY BEFORE 2068!!
We are happy to be the Gateway to BC, but not the
Doormat !!
2Limitations and Disclaimer
-
- While Tsawwassen Residents Against Higher
Voltage Overhead Lines (TRAHVOL) has made every
attempt to ensure that the information contained
in this document has been obtained from reliable
sources, TRAHVOL is not responsible for any
errors or omissions, or for the results obtained
from the use of this information. All information
in this document is provided "as is", with no
guarantee of completeness, accuracy, timeliness
or of the results obtained from the use of this
information, and without warranty of any kind,
express or implied, including, but not limited to
warranties of performance, merchantability and
fitness for a particular purpose. In no event
will TRAHVOL, its members or agents be liable to
the reader or anyone else for any decision made
or action taken in reliance on the information in
this document or for any consequential, special
or similar damages, even if advised of the
possibility of such damages.
3- Who is TRAHVOL and What are Our Core Principles?
- A grass-roots, community based organization of
responsible citizens, many of them seasoned
professionals, formed in December, 2004 to
intervene in BCTCs present project route
proposal. - We acknowledge the obligations of BCTC to provide
cost effective and reliable power to all
customers in BC and are not opposing BCTCs plans
to reinforce the Southern Transmission Route to
Vancouver Island. - We believe that BCTC must recognize that meeting
the concerns of the residents of BC is a cost of
doing business, and doing so is a sound business
practice. - We believe that BCTC cannot plan projects without
due regard to the lives, health, aspirations,
enjoyment and property of Tsawwassen and Ladner
residents. - We have taken a constructive and consultative
approach with regard to this project. - We believe that such an approach is the proper
method to reach a satisfactory, negotiated
solution that addresses the needs of BCTC, the
residents of Tsawwassen and the overall South
Delta community.
4MAP OF OVERALL ROUTE PLAN
5B.C.T.C. Vancouver Island Transmission
Reinforcement Project Proposal
- Build two new 230,000 volt aerial transmission
lines through Tsawwassen. - The lines will carry 1,200 Megawatts of power.
(23 times that of the existing lines) -
- The lines have a design life of over 60 years.
- The lines will follow the existing right of way
through the middle of residential Tsawwassen. - Up to twelve cables will be placed on 30-35m
(100-115) steel towers. -
- The transmission lines will be used to serve
Vancouver Island and some of the Gulf Islands.
6BCTC SCHEDULE (per BCTC VITR Project Description
December 2004)
- BCTC PROJECT SCHEDULE Completion
- Geotechnical Studies January 14/05
- Preliminary Overhead and Submarine
Design January 17/05 - Preliminary Station Design February 11/05
- Implementation Phase Cost Estimate March
18/05 - Environmental Terms of Reference (TOR) March
25/05 - Implementation Phase Project Plan April 01/05
- BCTC Board Approval to Proceed with
- CPCN Application April 15/05
- CPCN Application Submission June 03/05
-
7- Quotes from the BCTC VITR Project Documents
- Since 2000, the Vancouver Island 230kV AC Supply
Project cost is much lower than the 1993
estimate. (Ref Technical Justification, 06/04,
page 1) - The Vancouver Island Transmission Reinforcement
Project has the advantage of utilizing an
existing right-of-way established almost 50 years
ago, and thus, is expected to have minimal site
preparation and access improvement requirements,
as compared to developing a new transmission line
right-of-way. (Ref VITR Project Description,
12/04, page IV-5) - There may be an issue of right-of-way uses
through Tsawwassen and Gulf Islands (may require
under grounding portion of the line with
additional cost between 5M to 20M each). (Ref
Technical Justification, 06/04, page 10)
Note Underlining added.
8- TRAHVOLs Position
- We oppose the installation of a new,
industrial-scale infrastructure mega-project that
has no place being imposed on a quiet residential
community. - We believe that BCTC has not practiced proper due
diligence concerning route alternatives, but have
simply presumed use of a 50 year old right of way
that is not suitable for industrial-scale 1200
Megawatt transmission lines. - Given that this is a 60 year decision, we believe
that the project schedule should be revised to
accommodate proper consultation with the
community, to allow a detailed review of route
alternatives, and the selection of an alternate
route that satisfies the needs and concerns and
the community standards and values of the
residents of South Delta. - We firmly believe that a win-win solution
beneficial to BCTC and the residents of South
Delta can be achieved. - We believe that BCTC has an outstanding
opportunity as a responsible B.C. corporate
citizen to demonstrate its visions and values by
negotiating a solution that addresses the social,
economic, environmental, property and long term
concerns of South Delta residents.
9- Community Concerns
- The new lines raise many concerns for all
residents of South Delta - Diminished quality of life and enjoyment.
- Increased visual impacts on the community of
Tsawwassen and all of its residents. - Electromagnetic Fields (EMF) and associated
health concerns, especially for our children in
schools and parks. - Diminished property values and the ability to
sell. - Increased concerns about hazards from the fall
zone and ongoing tower maintenance. - Increased impacts on wildlife.
10Whats the Rush?
- This project has been in BCTC/BC Hydro plans for
at least 10 years. - No municipal or community consultation has taken
place in those 10 years. - Project definition work has been in progress for
over a year. - The community was notified of the project
December 3rd, 2004. - BCTCs own risk assessment documents recognize a
potential backlash from the Tsawwassen and Gulf
Island communities with ensuing additional costs
and delays. - Mitigation? Quote Execute well thought out
communications strategy. - BCTC has planned the zero firm capacity of the
existing HVDC transmission line in 2007, although
they will still rely on it until 2018.
11- Satisfying Community Standards and Values
- BCTC needs to consider and satisfy meet current
community standards and values, and not just cost
and technical considerations in selecting a
route. - Other alternative routes are possible and need to
be examined in more detail. - These alternatives address overall BCTC
requirements, and reflect the current community
standards and standards of South Delta. - The most recent broad gauge estimate for the
Hwy 17 alternative is 18M. This should
decrease after detailed engineering. - Examples
- BCTC recently completed a 9 km, 44M underground
230kV project in downtown Vancouver and
highlighted its achievement at several
conferences and in a documentary. - A good deal of the new RAV line will be
underground through Vancouver, not because it is
cheaper, but because it best meets community
standards and values. - Several US States have mandated the
undergrounding of transmission lines in urban
areas to meet the concerns of residents and the
uncertainty of the long term impacts.
12ALTERNATE ROUTES (Proposals for Consideration)
1
5
4
3
2b
2a
Proposed
13CASH FLOW THROUGH THESE LINES
- BCTC can afford another route
- Over 60 years, these lines will carry hundreds of
billions of kilowatt hours of electricity. - At todays residential rate, this could amount to
26.5 Billion over the life time of the lines. -
- Using modest inflation rates, this could amount
to over 40 Billion. - The peak capacity of these proposed lines is gt14
of the total BC load today. - An additional 18M for some form of alternate
routing is less than 0.05 of the estimated
lifetime revenue.
Based on an average 800 Megawatts over the
60/50 year design life. 18M - BCTC broad gauge
estimate for Hwy 17 rerouting.
14- We respectfully request Delta Council to consider
passing the following resolutions - Resolve that the proposed transmission lines be
rerouted from BCTCs currently preferred route
through Tsawwassen and possibly other areas of
South Delta, so that the selected route fits with
the community standards and values of South Delta
residents, and does not interfere with their
lives, health, aspirations, environment,
enjoyment and properties. - Request BCTC to conduct a comprehensive and
consultative public planning process for the
proposed transmission lines in which all effected
stakeholders, including the Corporation, can
meaningfully participate, including holding
public meetings in South Delta (in addition to
their January 27th open house) so that the public
has an opportunity to provide input and ask
questions on the project, and receive documented
answers to their questions and concerns. - Advise BCTC, BC Hydro, the BC Utilities
Commission, the Ministers responsible in the
Government of BC and the Government of Canada,
and the local MLA and MP of 1. 2. above.
15- We respectfully request Delta Council to consider
the following resolutions -
- Request a report from the Corporations solicitor
regarding how the Corporation could intervene and
stop BCTC from further work on BCTCs preferred
route through Tsawwassen and possibly other areas
of South Delta, including intervention by the BC
Utilities Commission, until BCTC has completed
conducting the comprehensive and consultative
public planning process in 2. above. - Register the Corporation with the BC Utilities
Commission and other involved regulatory bodies
as an intervener with respect to the proposed
transmission lines. - Request a report from staff as to the benefits of
having BCTC abandon portions of the existing
rights of way for BCTCs preferred route in favor
of a new route that bypasses the residential
communities of South Delta and minimizes the
impact upon farmland.
16- We respectfully request Delta Council to consider
the following resolutions -
- Assist TRAHVOL with the gathering of publicly
available information as may be required for
analysis in support of our submissions to BCTC
and as necessary, the BC Utilities Commission. - Provide an opportunity for TRAHVOL to consult
with the Delta Planning Department to assess the
long term impacts of the attached route
alternatives.
17We sincerely thank Delta Council for the
Opportunity to present our concerns and requests
regarding the VITR Project!
18THANK YOU
This project will have a 60 years impact on
South Delta!