WATER NEWS
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Public Forum in Vancouver, November 19
Waiting for Fear and Hunger Will Be Too Late
The U.S. won’t have to come and take B.C.’s water, energy and billion dollar public assets. We’re giving it to them!
The unfathomable loss of control of British Columbia’s enormously valuable water and energy resources is quietly passing the point of no return without your knowledge.
Our rivers, our coveted water and wind generating sites, the land and the billion dollar revenue associated with these sites is being taken from British Columbians to be lost FOREVER into the hands of private and foreign interests.
Unless stopped immediately, you and I will lose…
- our security and prosperity, and gain massive 2007 debt at $50 billion in payments to build private power projects that we will not own.
- the second lowest energy prices and finest green energy assets in North America.
- the most reliable, secure and efficient energy delivery in North America (no blackouts).
- enormous financial benefits in the form of public asset ($1 billion/year).
- a future of enormous security and public energy wealth.
- public control over our rivers and the electrical power distribution system.
- control over our water and power-generating resources.
- Lastly, we will lose our voice in how we want to share our resources in the on-coming world of extreme water scarcity.
The consequences to you and me will be…
- Annual 10% increases (starting in 2009) in hydro costs (yes, your hydro bill!) that reflect the price BC Hydro (the Provincial government) is paying to these newly created private power group – a cost which is ten to twenty times our existing cost of making power.
- Loss of benefits associated with a billion $ annual income from our public electric system going directly to provincial revenue.
- Power sourced from B.C.’s water (and wind) paid for by taxpayers and yet no longer a public asset and without public benefits.
- Transfer of control and revenues from public (British Columbians) to foreign interests.
- Absorption into an energy grid controlled by American corporations and regulated by US Energy Security Laws.
- Loss of control of our electricity grid resulting in B.C. sourced energy being allocated to the U.S. power grid prior to B.C. energy needs.
- Loss of control can result in B.C.’s water being piped, bottled and otherwise diverted to the U.S. whether or not British Columbia’s people and eco-systems need it.
- No price protection – just contracts committing B.C. to subsidize business. As an example, the Kemess Mine in B.C. uses $80 million of electricity a year. Our public utility, BC Hydro, is buying power at $88 per megawatt from the new private power people and selling it to industry at $34 per megawatt resulting in a public subsidy of $54 million to just one mine. No wonder mining in B.C. is growing astronomically and the government wants to hurry a new transmission corridor along Highway 37 where new mines are proposed.
- Private sector and foreign investors reaping enormous rates of return at the expense of ratepayers (you and me).
- Our rivers and every hydro-capable watershed in B.C. controlled b private water power licenses.
- Watching our resources go to powerful corporations that compound water pollution, environmental damage, water scarcity and ecological stress in a world with unconscionably growing numbers of people who are dying from lack of clean water.
This needs your voice!
Public consultation deliberately bypassed
This travesty is being secretly, deliberately and quickly perpetrated by our provincial government without public debate or consultation.
Massive and immediate action is urgently needed from individuals and communities throughout B.C. to confront and reverse this situation.
Please add your voice and initiative.
Public Forum
Monday, November 19
To help you find out more information about the environmental, social and economic consequences there will be a discussion forum Nov. 19th at the Britannia Community Centre.
Speakers include Tom Rankin (Save Our Rivers Society), Gwen Barlee (Western Wilderness Committee) and Betty Krawzcyk.
Time: 7pm – 9pm, Monday Nov. 19th
Cost: Free
Where: Britannia Centre , 1661 Napier (just off Commercial Drive)
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