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Cranbrook chamber welcomes Site C approval
The Cranbrook and District Chamber of Commerce welcomes the B.C. government’s decision to approve construction of the Site C dam project.
Minister of Energy and Mines and Minister for Core Review, and Kootenay East MLA Bill Bennett and Premier Christy Clark made the announcement Dec. 16.
“B.C.’s economy has been built on reliable, low-cost power. Aging infrastructure and increased demands threatens that,” said Dave Butler, President of the Cranbrook Chamber. “The government’s commitment to build Site C is a demonstrable investment in an ongoing commitment to ensure a sustainable and successful future for British Columbians present and future.”
Low cost reliable power has long been a major competitive advantage for B.C. as a business jurisdiction, Butler noted. “Reliable, affordable power allows our businesses to compete nationally and globally and to create jobs right here in B.C.,” he said. “It’s a key factor in our province’s economic success. The entire province, for many generations to come, will benefit from this bold commitment.”
Cranbrook Chamber Executive Director David D. Hull commended the government for making a tough but critical decision. “It is better to have the courage to light a candle than to sit and curse the darkness. Premier Clark and her government have ensured that the economy will be fully illuminated for the future and beyond. In the quintessential boldness of WAC Bennett, Premier Clark is affirming B.C. as a great place to live, work, play, and do business.”
“Site C is a massive investment decision in our province’s economy and future. It is a staggering financial commitment that is clearly the right decision. We only have to look to past monumental expenditures in our province, made by visionary leadership, that we benefit from today to realize this is securing a great future for generations to come,” Hull said.
There is a recognized need for aggressive action on both the supply and demand side of the province’s energy mix. B.C. Chamber members, of which Cranbrook is included, have long backed Site C as a strategic investment in reliable, publicly owned, energy infrastructure.
Site C will be the third dam and hydroelectric generating station on the Peace River in northeast B.C. It will generate clean and renewable power, produce low amounts of greenhouse gas emissions and have a relatively small reservoir footprint for the 5,100 gigawatt hours of energy it will produce – enough to power 450,000 homes a year.
BC Hydro estimates that the project will generate approximately 10,000 direct jobs and an additional 23,000 indirect jobs, and contribute $3.2 billion to B.C.’s GDP. In addition, Site C will generate power for more than a century.
Cranbrook and District Chamber of Commerce
