A Certificate of Public Convenience and Necessity (CPCN) from the British Columbia Utilities Commission (BCUC) is required for the ILM Project. Ultimately, the BCUC has the final decision-making authority on whether to approve BCTC's recommended solution.
The BCUC process looks at the need and justification for the Project, the alternatives, capital and operating costs, and a broad range of socio-economic and non-financial factors.
The CPCN Application for the ILM Project was filed with the BCUC on November 5, 2007.
Following a written review of the Application, the BCUC approved the ILM Project and granted a CPCN on August 5, 2008. View the Commission’s decision (PDF, 2.1MB).
The BCUC website and their New User's Guide provides more information about the role and workings of the BCUC.
CPCN before the BCUC for consideration
The BCUC is reviewing the adequacy of First Nations consultation and accommodation within the CPCN process (separate from the Environmental Assessment (EA) process). Reconsideration of the CPCN does not affect the EA Certificate or the EA process. The ILM Project must still obtain a CPCN to proceed.
BCTC is actively participating in the BCUC reconsideration process for the CPCN, and is committed to consultation with First Nations.
Letter from Greg Reimer, Deputy Minister of Energy Mines and Petroleum Resources, to BC Hydro and BC Transmission Corporation regarding First Nations issues (PDF, 762KB)
There is more information about the BCUC reconsideration on their website.
The proposed ILM Project is subject to review by the British Columbia Environmental Assessment Office (BCEAO) under the British Columbia Environmental Assessment Act.
The environmental assessment examines potential effects to the following biological, physical and cultural resources:
- aquatic species and habitat
- terrestrial ecosystems, vegetation and wildlife
- land use and socio-economic/socio-community conditions
- visual landscape and recreational resources
- First Nations traditional use
- heritage and archaeological resources
- public health issues
To initiate this process, the Project Description for the proposed ILM Project was filed with the BCEAO in December 2006.
Public Comment Period for Draft Terms of Reference
The BCEAO invited the public to comment on the draft Terms of Reference for the ILM Project. The purpose of the Terms of Reference is to identify the information that BCTC must include in the Application for an Environmental Assessment Certificate (EAC). The 30-day public comment period was June 11, 2007 to July 11, 2007.
The Terms of Reference were finalized and approved by the BCEAO on May 23, 2008.
An electronic copy of the approved Terms of Reference is available through the BCEAO website.
Environmental Assessment Certificate Application Filed
BCTC filed an application (the “Application”) for an EAC with the BCEAO in October 2008. At the same time BCTC also requested to have an application for a Crown Land tenure under the Land Act reviewed concurrently with the Application.
An advertisement (PDF, 47KB) providing information about the filing of the Application, how to view a copy as well as dates, times and locations of the five open houses scheduled, will be published in community newspapers along the proposed ILM.
BCEAO Open Houses Held
In order to provide information to the public about the Application, and to receive written comments from the public, the BCEAO invited the public to attend any of five open houses scheduled.
- Monday, November 24: Merritt
- Tuesday, November 25: Hope
- Wednesday, Nov 26: Harrison Hot Springs
- Monday, December 1: Coquitlam
- Tuesday, December 2: Mission
Public Comment Period for EAC Application
As well as the open houses, the BCEAO established a 60-day public comment period during which the BCEAO accepted written comments on the Project and the Application. The intention of seeking public comments is to ensure that BCTC’s plans addressed all potential Project effects – environmental, economic, social, heritage and health – and included acceptable measures to avoid, reduce, or mitigate potential adverse effects.
The public comment period began on November 24, 2008 and ended at midnight on January 23, 2009. All submissions received by the BCEAO regarding the ILM Project are considered public and are posted to the BCEAO website.
Application Available for Viewing
The Application, supporting materials, and information regarding the environmental assessment process are available for viewing online on the BCTC website, or at the EAO website. Copies of the Application are also available for viewing at the following libraries:
- Merritt
1691 Garcia Street
- Yale
65050 Albert Street
- Agassiz
7140 Cheam Avenue
- Mission
33247 Second Avenue
- Maple Ridge
#130-22470 Dewdney Trunk Road
- Pitt Meadows
12047 Harris Road
- Coquitlam
575 Poirier Street & 3001 Burlington Drive
On June 9, 2009 the ILM Project received an Environmental Assessment (EA) Certificate (PDF, 5.3 MB) from the BC Environmental Assessment Office (EAO). The EA Certificate means that the project is one step closer to full approval. Read the news release from the provincial government.
The EA process considers environmental, economic, social, heritage, and health impacts. In making their decision, the EAO concluded that construction of the ILM project would not have significant adverse effects, owing to the mitigation measures and commitments outlined by BCTC.
Some of these commitments include:
- Minimizing habitat loss for the northern spotted owl and contributing funding to a captive breeding and re-introduction program
- Making best efforts to secure the wetland site for the Oregon spotted frog population and providing funding to the Ministry of Environment to complete six years of egg mass surveys
- Providing funding for Ministry of Forest projects to mitigate the loss of timber harvest land base
- Avoiding in-stream works on fish-bearing watercourses
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