Glacier/Howser Creeks- Axor

Update: November 22, 2010

We recently learned that AXOR, under subsidiary Purcell Green Power, no longer has an Energy Purchase Agreement (EPA) with BC Hydro.

This is promising news, which at the very least signifies that AXOR faces ongoing difficulties with this project. We know that the Glacier/Hoswer project is not environmentally sound, the EAO suspension helped prove this last year. And, now the project is no longer financially viable for AXOR.

An Electricity Purchase Agreement (EPA) is a financial agreement between BC Hydro and private power producers that determines the price of the energy that BC Hydro will purchase. EPAs are highly sought after by power companies because BC Hydro pays a rate that is double, and in some cases, triple market prices for electricity. The vast majority of run-of-river power projects are not financially viable without an EPA signed by BC Hydro.

If AXOR ever wants to progress with this project, they would be required to reapply for another EPA in a future call for power; a chancy proposition given the strenuous public opposition and ongoing environmental concerns that have dogged the controversial proposal. In spite of all this AXOR’s comments in the media indicate that they will continue working on their environmental assessment certificate and try for a sweeter deal with BC Hydro at some point in the future. The West Kootenay EcoSociety, Wilderness Committee and Wildsight among other groups, will continue in our opposition to this environmentally destructive project, and make sure that BC Hydro thinks twice before walking down the EPA road with AXOR again.

For more information, please read the West Kootenay EcoSociety press release here.

Update October 2010:

It has been just about one year since the Environmental Assessment Office (EAO) suspended its review of the controversial 100MW Glacier-Howser project. Halfway through the 180-day review period, the EAO stopped the clock on the environmental assessment, citing that the impacts to fish and fish habitats posed a ‘significant challenge’. The project was put on pause and AXOR was given an undefined time period to collect additional information required if the review process was to continue.

From recent discussions with the EAO, we have learned that AXOR has submitted a draft report of fish and fish habitats on Howser Creek. The draft report is with the Working Group for comment, and it is expected to be returned to AXOR with comments. Whether or not this information is sufficient for the process to move forward is yet to be determined. AXOR has yet to submit info on Glacier Creek, which is required of them if they want to resubmit their application on the creeks for a run-of-river project. Regardless, we are concerned that this project is back on the table and this project was already proven to be environmentally unsound.

The people of the Kootenays have made it clear that they do not want project that threatens the integrity of the Glacier-Howser ecosystem.

Watch the video that shows Huge Crowds Turning Out in Kootenays to Protect Glacier Howser

We are curious to learn what the additional information on fish and fish habitats is, and how AXOR has addressed the project’s tremendously negative impacts on the genetically unique bull-trout species, as the impacts to the critically endangered caribou, threatened grizzly bears, wolverine and other wildlife in the area.

The West Kootenay EcoSociety, along with Wildsight and the Wilderness Committee, will diligently review any new information once it is made public. As it stands now, this project poses an unacceptable threat to the ecosystem and we remain unequivocally opposed to this project. We will continue to monitor the situation, and keep you informed and updated as this process unfolds.

Thank you for all your support in protecting Glacier and Howser Creeks. Your support is critical to the Rivers at Risk Campaign, and we are encouraged to be working with community members that are dedicated to protecting and enhancing the wilderness.

Info about the project:

The proposed 100 MW Glacier/Howser river-diversion project in the West Kootenay would result in destruction of habitat for threatened and endangered species and would negatively impact old growth and endangered forests.

The project would divert significant amounts (50-75%) of water from Glacier and Howser Creeks and two tributaries – Birnam and Suck Creeks. Diverted water would never return to the creeks.
The water would be diverted into two massive tunnels totaling 16kms in length drilled through the adjacent mountain to a power station, which would be constructed next to the Duncan reservoir.
Power generated would be transmitted along a new 92km transmission line requiring 30 to 100-meter wide clear cuts across the Purcell Mountains to Invermere in the East Kootenay.
Transmission lines would impact Upper Howser Creek's globally rare old growth spruce, cedar and hemlock forests which are currently designated as an Old Growth Management Area.
Transmission lines would invade the Stockdale Creek area, currently identified as an Endangered Forest for its high wilderness attributes, rare un-roaded status, and high values for grizzly bears.

Any project that will cause this much destruction of our environment can hardly be called green.


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	Glacier/Howser Creeks- Axor Update: November 22, 2010 We recently learned that AXOR, under subsidiary Purcell Green Power, no longer has an Energy Purchase Agreement (EPA) with BC Hydro. This is promising news, which at the very least signifies that AXOR faces ongoing difficulties with this project. We know that the Glacier/Hoswer project is not environmentally sound, the EAO suspension helped prove this last year. And, now the project is no longer financially viable for AXOR. An Electricity Purchase Agreement (EPA) is a financial agreement between BC Hydro and private power producers that determines the price of the energy that BC Hydro will purchase. EPAs are highly sought after by power companies because BC Hydro pays a rate that is double, and in some cases, triple market prices for electricity. The vast majority of run-of-river power projects are not financially viable without an EPA signed by BC Hydro. If AXOR ever wants to progress with this project, they would be required to reapply for another EPA in a future call for power; a chancy proposition given the strenuous public opposition and ongoing environmental concerns that have dogged the controversial proposal. In spite of all this AXOR’s comments in the media indicate that they will continue working on their environmental assessment certificate and try for a sweeter deal with BC Hydro at some point in the future. The West Kootenay EcoSociety, Wilderness Committee and Wildsight among other groups, will continue in our opposition to this environmentally destructive project, and make sure that BC Hydro thinks twice before walking down the EPA road with AXOR again. For more information, please read the West Kootenay EcoSociety press release here. -- Update October 2010: It has been just about one year since the Environmental Assessment Office (EAO) suspended its review of the controversial 100MW Glacier-Howser project. Halfway through the 180-day review period, the EAO stopped the clock on the environmental assessment, citing that the impacts to fish and fish habitats posed a ‘significant challenge’. The project was put on pause and AXOR was given an undefined time period to collect additional information required if the review process was to continue. From recent discussions with the EAO, we have learned that AXOR has submitted a draft report of fish and fish habitats on Howser Creek. The draft report is with the Working Group for comment, and it is expected to be returned to AXOR with comments. Whether or not this information is sufficient for the process to move forward is yet to be determined. AXOR has yet to submit info on Glacier Creek, which is required of them if they want to resubmit their application on the creeks for a run-of-river project. Regardless, we are concerned that this project is back on the table and this project was already proven to be environmentally unsound. The people of the Kootenays have made it clear that they do not want project that threatens the integrity of the Glacier-Howser ecosystem. Watch the video that shows Huge Crowds Turning Out in Kootenays to Protect Glacier Howser We are curious to learn what the additional information on fish and fish habitats is, and how AXOR has addressed the project’s tremendously negative impacts on the genetically unique bull-trout species, as the impacts to the critically endangered caribou, threatened grizzly bears, wolverine and other wildlife in the area. The West Kootenay EcoSociety, along with Wildsight and the Wilderness Committee, will diligently review any new information once it is made public. As it stands now, this project poses an unacceptable threat to the ecosystem and we remain unequivocally opposed to this project. We will continue to monitor the situation, and keep you informed and updated as this process unfolds. Thank you for all your support in protecting Glacier and Howser Creeks. Your support is critical to the Rivers at Risk Campaign, and we are encouraged to be working with community members that are dedicated to protecting and enhancing the wilderness. Info about the project: The proposed 100 MW Glacier/Howser river-diversion project in the West Kootenay would result in destruction of habitat for threatened and endangered species and would negatively impact old growth and endangered forests. The project would divert significant amounts (50-75%) of water from Glacier and Howser Creeks and two tributaries – Birnam and Suck Creeks. Diverted water would never return to the creeks. The water would be diverted into two massive tunnels totaling 16kms in length drilled through the adjacent mountain to a power station, which would be constructed next to the Duncan reservoir. Power generated would be transmitted along a new 92km transmission line requiring 30 to 100-meter wide clear cuts across the Purcell Mountains to Invermere in the East Kootenay. Transmission lines would impact Upper Howser Creek's globally rare old growth spruce, cedar and hemlock forests which are currently designated as an Old Growth Management Area. Transmission lines would invade the Stockdale Creek area, currently identified as an Endangered Forest for its high wilderness attributes, rare un-roaded status, and high values for grizzly bears. Any project that will cause this much destruction of our environment can hardly be called green.

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Glacier/Howser Creeks- Axor