There are better alternatives to flooding the Peace River valley. Our Earth stores an enormous source of renewable energy right beneath our feet: it is called geothermal power.
The Joint Review Panel suggested that BC Hydro seriously consider the less expensive geothermal option. The panel also suggested the BC Utilities Commission could look at other power options.
Alternative energy sources can be built on an as-needed, incremental basis so that we don’t end up with a surplus of high-cost, hard-to-sell power that would accompany Site C. (BC Hydro admits that Site C will lose at least $800 million in the first four years of operation).
Time to broaden the mandate of BC Hydro so that it fully considers energy options besides hydroelectricity and develops a truly sustainable and cost-effective energy plan for BC.
Time to change the Clean Energy Act to allow greater diversity in our power portfolio.