Northwest power line could create thousands of jobs, attract billions
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
SEPTEMBER 26, 2008
Northwest power line could create thousands of jobs, attract billions
in investment—Study
Vancouver—According to a new report by the Mining Association of
British Columbia (MABC), building a power line along Highway 37 in
northwest B.C. has the potential to create thousands of jobs, generate
new sources of clean power and provide additional revenues to
government to help pay for important programs and services.
“A new power line has the potential to spur economic development in
mining, tourism and clean power projects,” said Pierre Gratton,
president and CEO of the Mining Association of B.C. “The findings of
the report provide a strong case for First Nations, the provincial
government, industry and communities to work together to make the power
line a reality.”
The study, MABC Report on the Electrification of the Highway 37
Corridor, cited ten potential mining projects in the study, and found
that the power line has the potential to attract more than $15 billion
in investment, create 10,700 jobs and generate $300 million in annual
tax revenues to governments.
Demand for power in the northwest is driven largely by the mining
sector, independent power projects and regional municipality growth,
with additional opportunities to revitalize the tourism sector.
“We have the potential to create more than 10,000 jobs in a region
where unemployment is high,” said Janine North, CEO of the Northern
Development Initiative Trust. “Electricity can spur economic
development through mining, tourism, clean power, transportation and
supply industries in the northwest.”
“In principle, we support the new power line, as it provides
opportunities for joint-ventures with First Nations,” said Bill Adsit,
President of the Tahltan Nation Development Corporation. “However,
first there must be a process that considers all potential social,
cultural and environmental impacts.”
“As one of the founding members of the Highway 37 Coalition, the
Gitxsan Hereditary Chiefs are longstanding supporters of the proposed
power line,” stated Chief Negotiator Elmer Derrick. “This study
confirms that work should continue towards this important project.”
The 517 kilometre line, which is expected to cost around $600 million
and generate in excess of 2,000 megawatts each year, could also be fed
power from other sources in the northwest.
“There is significant potential for power generation in the region,
from hydro and wind projects to geothermal,” said Gratton. “The power
line could reduce greenhouse gas emissions as communities are
transitioned away from diesel generators.”
The study points out that development of new mines in the region would
be dependent on a number of factors, including the completion of
feasibility studies, the continued strength of commodity prices and the
availability of affordable electric power. Such development would also
need to address the concerns of First Nations.
