British Columbia Premier David Eby announced plans to bypass an environmental assessment for a $3-billion transmission line, placing oversight with the BC Energy Regulator, which is funded by oil and gas fees.
Shannon Waters reports for The Narwhal.
In short:
- The proposed North Coast transmission line would span 450 kilometers, impacting farmland, waterways and at-risk wildlife habitat.
- Electricity for the line will come partially from the $16-billion Site C dam, with costs potentially passed on to residents through higher electricity bills.
- Critics warn that fast-tracking permits through an industry-funded regulator raises transparency concerns and prioritizes fossil fuel projects over household energy needs.
Key quote:
“The only logical reason these transmission lines are being built is to supply power to hungry LNG terminals, which begs the question — who is picking up the multibillion dollar bill for this project?”
— Sven Biggs, oil and gas campaign director, Stand.earth
Why this matters:
Placing oversight in the hands of a regulator funded by the oil and gas industry may weaken public input and environmental protections. The project could lock B.C. into expanded fossil fuel infrastructure, burdening residents with higher costs while prioritizing exports over local energy needs.
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