Save OUR RIVERS and PUBLIC POWER in BC

Hundreds of BC's rivers are at risk of being taken over by private power companies, with the result that both the rivers and public power are seriously jeopardized.  Here are a few facts:
*  In 2002 the provincial government stopped BC Hydro, our crown corporation, from developing new sources of green energy.  (Imagine that!)
*  This has resulted in a 'gold rush' and virtual give-away of licenses affecting almost 500 BC rivers to IPPs (Independent Power Producers), private power developers.(And many more in the works.) * "In June 2006 the provincial government passed an amendment to Bill 30 that abolished local zoning authority so that no one can say no to a private power project on a river in BC."  (Unthinkable but true!)
Combine these facts and you begin to get a sense of the magnitude of the "Power Grab."  In immediate danger is the Upper Pitt River and the Pinecone Burke Class A Wilderness Park 40 km from downtown Vancouver.
Below you will find some information and links to sites and videos where you can learn more, and help build the public outcry.  But first, in case you're in a hurry, some urgent, time sensitive actions to take:  (See below for what you might say in the letter or call.)
 SPECIFICALLY FOR THE PINECONE BURKE AND UPPER PITT RIVER PROJECT:(I suggest you go to http://ourrivers.ca/content/blogcategory/16/31/ and scroll down for the video Rivers for Generations about the these "Run of River" licenses and the Upper Pitt.  THis will inform and motivate you to take action!!)

Public input invited until April 2:  
a) Tell the government what you think about the proposals to the Upper Pitt River:    •  Comments from the public are being solicited until April 2 (midnight) on the proposed park boundary change.  Please, stand up for our parks and say no to the proposed change in this park boundary.  Stopping the transmission line could present a serious impediment to the entire project.  Please submit your comments to PineconeBurke@gov.bc.ca or mail them to Boundary Change Pinecone Burke, c/o BC Parks, PO Box 9398, Stn. Prov. Govt., Victoria, BC, V8W 9M9 or fax to 1-250-387-5757.  For more details, see www.runofriverpower.com under Pitt River Projects or www.env.gov.bc.ca/bcparks/planning/bound_adj_policy.html#pinecone
  *  Comments on the proposed boundary adjustment to Pinecone Burke Provincial Park can also be sent to Barry Penner, Minister of Enviroment, env.minister@gov.bc.ca or barry.penner.mla@leg.bc.ca Or, you can phone his office: (250) 387-1187.  Comments directed to the Environmental Assessment Office can be sent to: eaoinfo@gov.bc.ca. Their phone number is (250) 356-7441.     
•  Write the Premier  Gordon Campbell  PO Box 9041 STN PROV GOVT Victoria, BC V8W 9E1  e-mail:  premier@gov.bc.ca   phone:  250 387-1715,  Fax: 250 387-0087

*  Write your MLA about this terrible plan: Find the contact info here http://ebc.barrodale.com/voter/edfinder.htm

b)  STAND UP FOR PUBLIC POWER IN BC GENERALLY:

•  Take a stand on Tuesday, March 11 at the BC Power Summit and let the private power companies and the provincial government know that BC wants clean, public, and responsible energy – for generations.  British Columbians must stand up for our public utility and our wilderness areas. These private power projects threaten both the integrity of BC Hydro as well as wildlife and fish habitat.   http://www.publicpowerbc.ca  

What: Rally Against the BC Govt’s Development of Private Power When: Tuesday March 11 Time: Meet: 12:30 PM, Rally: 1:00 PM Meet: SFU Harbour Centre, corner of Hastings and Richards (12:30) Rally: 1:00 PM at the SFU Wosk Centre, on Seymour Street between Hastings and Pender.

Here's a nutshell summary of what you might write (extracted from http://www.publicpowerbc.ca  and other sites:) 
British Columbians need and want public utilities and our wilderness areas. These private power projects threaten both the integrity of BC Hydro as well as wildlife and fish habitat.  I want to tell both the private power companies and the provincial government that I want BC to have clean, public, and responsible energy – for generations.   
The provincial government currently has no management strategy to identify which sites could be suitable for energy projects and which, such as the Upper Pitt River Valley, are totally inappropriate.  With no overall planning, BC’s remote wilderness areas are likely to become covered in a web of overlapping and redundant private transmission lines…all of which will only increase our electricity costs.  

Inform yourself and spread the word:  Following are sites, links and videos to inform and see for yourself what this all means.  

And here are some compelling sites and videos to further inform and motivate:
•  View the video  Power Play:  The Theft of BC Rivers  at  http://ashlu.info/video/bcrivers.html 
•  Watch the video SaveOur Rivers Rivers for Generations  at http://ourrivers.ca/content/blogcategory/16/31/ •  Visit the independent, packed full site http://hydrofactsbc.ca  for articles, links and background info.
*  Read Raif Mair's article in The Tyee: Campbell's Power to Harm Rivers.   http://thetyee.ca/Views/2008/02/25/RunOfRiver/
•  Another site is www.ourrivers.ca, the Save Our Rivers Society which "was founded to protect BC rivers from private hydropower contracts and for our future generations.  Climate change has everything to do with our rivers and newly invented private power projects. Please join with us to regain public control and oversight over our electric energy assets and our rivers which are being swept away from us.  Secret private contracts resulting in foreign control over BC's most important river environments, precious water and water power must be exposed and reversed."  

*  WC2 is also heavily involved.  Check out their campaign at  http://www.wildernesscommittee.org/campaigns/publiclands/rpps

•  http://www.publicpowerbc.ca/