Ministerial comments on the regional perspective workshops

The role of British Columbia Hydro in addressing regional economic development issues in British Columbia is discussed. At Stave Falls in the Fraser Valley, a project is under way to upgrade a 75-year-old hydroelectric facility to utilize its potential more fully without having to flood more land. The project will eventually cost $50-100 million and will also generate local employment. In the Kootenay region, the utility has established a regional office in Castlegar and is organizing a symposium to examine historical grievances such as reservoir levels, taxation, and electric system operation. A new formula has been announced with regards to independent power producers and it is intended to proceed with wood-waste power generation and gas-fired cogeneration projects if they make economic and environmental sense. Energy conservation activities are continually being implemented through the utility's Power Smart program, and tourism-related concerns caused by low reservoir levels in the Kootenay region are also being addressed