PRRD pushes for insight into local green energy projects

FORT ST. JOHN, B.C. – The minister of energy and climate solutions says wind energy projects will still have to meet “robust environmental standards” despite being exempt from environmental assessments. 

On February 4th, the provincial government published a list of 18 energy and mineral projects across the province being accelerated through permit process adjustments.

In an interview with Energeticcity.ca, Dix confirmed wind energy projects included on the list, two of which were in the Peace River region, would not be required to undergo lengthy environmental assessment processes.

As per the Environmental Assessment Act, the assessments are designed to account for any potential effect the project may have on the local environment, economy or health.

In a letter received by the PRRD on February 25th and discussed during the March 6th board meeting, Adrian Dix, minister of energy and climate solutions, said the projects would still have to maintain “robust environmental standards” during development.

“[The provincial] government is committed to developing the power necessary to meet energy needs for a clean future while lowering greenhouse gas emissions through electrification,” Dix wrote. 

“The transition to clean energy needs to happen quickly and we are taking urgent action to get more clean and affordable power online faster.”

Responsibility for permitting of the announced projects has also been handed over to the B.C. Energy Regulator, a move intended to “reduce time and cost,” Dix told Energeticcity.ca.

Several months of correspondence and in-person meetings about local input on major environmental projects continued at the Peace River Regional District (PRRD) board of directors as they reviewed the letter from Dix.

The letter contained further details about environmental standards and procedures surrounding the two wind projects in the Peace River region. 

During the January regional board meeting, directors voiced concerns about “losing their voice” in major wind energy projects if the environmental assessment requirement was removed. 

Several directors stated in that meeting they felt disregarded by Dix, with board chair Leonard Hiebert, director for Electoral Area D, highlighting the minister’s lack of interest in altering his plans. 

“[Dix’s] comment was ‘I’m the minister’, and he can do it. ‘I’m the minister to make a decision.’ [It] took me back but it basically told me no matter what we say or do, he’s going to do what he wants anyway,” Hiebert said.

During the March 6th meeting Bradley Sperling, the director for Electoral Area C, brought forward several letter and delegation requests for the energy projects. 

The board agreed to send a letter to the B.C. Energy Regulator and the Ministry of Energy and Climate Solutions requesting a presentation to the board of directors on permitting processes and consultation. 

The directors also approved sending letters to the Taylor Wind Project and the Stewart Creek Wind Project requesting the organizers present to the board on the intended environmental process and the disposal of waste before, during and after the project’s end of life.