LETTER – Wrong time to change review process for wind power projects
(Image: Creative Commons-Pixabay.com)
According to the B.C. Environment Ministry, up until recently, wind projects generating more
than 50 megawatts of power or involving 15 or more turbines have been subject to an
environmental assessment through the B.C. Environmental Assessment Office (BCEAO).
The Ministry has stated that wind projects have typically taken one to two years to complete the
environmental assessment process — although no wind projects have been reviewed since B.C.’s Environmental Assessment Act was updated in 2018.
An important feature of the environmental assessment process is to analyze valued components
(VCs) (either environmental, social or economic) that may be affected by the wind project. The
overall goal of the environmental process is not to stop projects but to ensure that harms identified are mitigated.
There are nine new wind power projects approved, with projects ranging from 94 megawatts to
200 megawatts. The Province wants to develop projects quickly, stating they are moving approvals through a “one window permitting approach” overseen by the Ministry of Water, Land and Resource Stewardship, while other ministries will provide support to ensure coordinated and efficient consultation with First Nations, public engagement and efficient and transparent decisions.
However, it might be worth reminding the Province that currently the BCEAO is the agency with
the experienced staff and the expertise to conduct environmental assessments efficiently. Shifting a new process on ministries that have never had this lead role, or responsibility suggests a lack of understanding of how the on-the-ground overall coordination of an assessment really works.
Also, removing the independent oversight of the BCEAO to “make the process go faster” looks politically motivated and risks removing the transparency and clarity the environmental process requires.
Further, it is not clear that time savings can be achieved as delays will be likely as new departments become familiar with their role and hire the necessary staff. Eliminating the BCEAO and established environmental assessment processes because the Province has not been properly planning and investing in its energy security could harm the reputation and public confidence in the wind power sector moving forward.
Getting it right is important, if the Province would like to update and streamline its environmental assessment process, it should do that. However, in the interim, let’s maintain transparency, trust and completeness in the B.C. environmental assessment process that has come from following the proven approach that is in place.
RANDY SUNDERMAN,
Director, Kamloops Area Preservation Association
ArmchairMayor.ca 
Yes, let’s create more bureaucracy so we can fall even further behind. There is a great deal of pressure to rapidly convert everything we use or drive to electricity, but nobody wants to allow the obvious alternatives of nuclear or hydro, and instead wants to opt for inefficient and unreliable wind and solar with multiple and long review processes. Can’t have it both ways.
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i think you missed the point I was trying to make. We need to have clear and transparent processes to ensure efficiency. Using political games to skip due process doesn’t lead to the best outcomes. Look at bc hydro skipping bcuc request for looking at alternatives on site c. In that case we ended up with a $16 billion project when could have gotten same power s lot cheaper.
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Since no wind projects have been reviewed since B.C.’s Environmental Assessment Act was updated in 2018 one has to wonder what the BCEAO (which staff I am sure are full-fledged government employees) is being doing in the last seven years.
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BCEAO staff are involved in all projects in environmental review, not just wind power. Check out their website and list projects and status
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