BC Hydro requesting delay to answer to BCUC about Site C Dam stability

FORT ST. JOHN, B.C. – B.C. Hydro is asking the B.C. Utilities Commission for more time to provide answers about the stability of the Site C dam.

In addition to delaying their response to the BCUC on Site C, Hydro is also asking to delay their next quarterly report on the project.  Each year, Hydro reports quarterly to the Commission on the construction of the dam.

The Utilities Commission is currently looking for responses from Hydro, asking the crown corporation a series of questions about how long had they known about the geotechnical risks and when Hydro expects to have a better understanding of the enhancement measures and the resulting cost and schedule impact.

It was reported to the Commission that geotechnical issues on work fronts other than the left bank diversion tunnels has always been a project risk, and this risk has materialized on the right bank.

Hydro is also being expected to explain the direct impact to date that the COVID-19 pandemic has had on cost and schedule of the Project.

Hydro is expected to respond to the Utilities Commission by November 19 but is asking the deadline to be pushed back as the Province is completing an independent review of the Project and Hydro is currently going through a process of re-baselining the Project budget and schedule.