Energy Doldrums

As one local wind turbine project is rejected another power project is delayed.

A City of Campbell River and Science World partnership project to install a wind turbine large enough to supply 9 homes with electricity has been denied funding by the Federal government. As part of a multi community initiative to produce enough power to satisfy an energy credit for the Vancouver based science centre, Campbell River merely had to supply a site to host the turbine in order to participate. Although neither side are giving up on the idea as other funding opportunities are being considered, the project is indefinitely on hold and requires further development prior to proceeding.

Mirror for more

Plutonic Power's plans for Bute Inlet's 17 run-of-the-river energy plants have been postponed due to a lack of environmental data to support their project. An EIS (environmental impact statement) will take longer than expected for the corporation to produce, pushing back the project until 2011. Plutonic is hoping for a nod from the government and some guidance to continue collecting data. Other project proposals by Plutonic under BC Hydro's new clean power initiative are still under consideration with results expected soon.

Courier for more

At this rate will the province be able to meet its goal of 90% clean power and complete electric self sufficiency by 2016?

Roosevelt Elk Habitat

A lack of coastal elk habitat knowledge lead to a field study in Strathcona Park that recently produced results. With approximately 94% of BC's Roosevelt Elk residing on Vancouver Island this study focused on enhancing habitat in the Elk River and Thelwood Creek watersheds.

Seeding was positive however the thinning of trees to increase sunlight to the forest bed provided mixed results as less than optimal plants flourished rather than those preferred by this specie of elk. Winter range feeding remains a concern during heavy snow fall. Read more from the Mirror.

TOMORROW - A Word for Nature

The Museum at Campbell River is pleased to offer an afternoon with the 2010 Haig-Brown Writer-in-Residence, Harry Thurston. Thurston will give a talk entitled "A Word for Nature: The Evolution of a Nature Writer" on Saturday, Jan. 23, from 1-3 p.m.

Courier article

The environmental journalist will be reading from his works and speaking his evolution from a boy in Nova Scotia to Haig-Brown Writer-In-Residence. It's $6, call the Museum for further details 287-3103

Fraser Sockeye labelled sustainable by Marine Stewardship Council

The Marine Stewardship Council (MSC), a group that sets standards for sustainable seafood practices, has judged BC Sockeye fishing as sustainable.

If certified this would include Fraser Sockeye, a fish stock that has never seen lower returns - some even deeming the market as completely collapsed.

The fisheries assessment has yet to be certified by MSC, there is a 15 day period to file complaints with the review panel concerning the report found here.

Already the Watershed Watch Salmon Society, David Suzuki Foundation, Skeena Wild Conservation Trust and the Headwaters Initiative have opposed the certification.

For more from the Globe and Mail

Still more on the fragile nature between Sockeye fishing and capital inflow can be seen in the movie Red Gold, a documentary on Bristol Bay's mining/fishing conflict.

3rd Spill into Buttle Lake

NVI Mining has confirmed a third spill of partially treated water from the Myra Falls mine into Buttle Lake, but company officials say they're taking steps to prevent a repeat.

Courier for more.

Still no word on the extent of contamination.

Who will lead Canada in the green energy market?

Ontario and British Columbia are going toe-to-toe for green energy investments.

With the decline of the automobile industry in Ontario the province has pushed hard for reinvestment within its other sectors, specifically the green energy sector and legislation has supported this new revenue direction. Ontario's new energy policy offers [a] tailwind. While consumers grumble about higher electricity prices, investors are taking notice of Premier Dalton McGuinty's new Green Energy Act. "Ontario has the most attractive subsidy for power generation for these sectors," Mr. Willemse said. The thriving green energy market is like any other monetary sector - it needs a profitable return on investment and at the moment that is found in Ontario.

BC's Energy Minister says a new green energy policy review is ready and will be released soon by our province. In the meantime BC is working hard to streamline approval for clean energy projects.

The competing provinces are fighting the good fight and we hope to see a profitable outcome for both as long as this includes solid judgment rather than hasty financial decisions.

Globe and Mail for more

Mine Tailings Overflow into Campbell River's Drinking Water

Myra Falls mine tailings have overflown into Buttle Lake due to heavy rain fall. The extent of the damage is still unknown however it is expected to be minimal due to the shear size of the watershed.


More from the Times Colonist:

But neither mine owner Breakwater Resources nor the Environment Ministry could say what volume of effluent might have spilled into the lake which supplies drinking water to Campbell River.

An Environment Ministry spokesperson said the mine reported two spill events from the effluent treatment system into Myra Creek, which drains into Buttle Lake. The first was early Monday morning "and there was a similar event late on January 11th going into early January 12."

the Mirror:

However, there’s probably nothing to worry about from the incident that happened during a storm earlier this week , says Ron Neufeld, the city’s general manager of operations.

“One of the benefits of our watershed is that it’s very, very large,” he told council Tuesday night. “There’s a very large diluting factor, and there is time on our side.”

the Courier Islander:

"Our experiences in the past have been that these types of events have not had any impact at all on our drinking water, however, we are working with VIHA staff, with NVI mining staff as well as our own water department to ensure that we're actively monitoring the quality of our drinking water."

Updates to follow.