To RETURN to INDEX close this browser window

---

For immediate release: May 01, 2002

Little-known BC Hydro report suggests gas-fired plant unnecessary.

NANAIMO - The Society Promoting Environmental Conservation is asking BC Hydro to post on its Web site a little-known study which directly contradicts Hydro ads claiming it's a "myth" that conservation would eliminate the need for a gas-fired generator in Nanaimo.

Hydro's hard-to-get 1994 Electricity Conservation Potential Review: 1988-2010, concludes it would be technically feasible - even using 1988 technology - to conserve about half, 25,000 Gigawatt hours, of Hydro's 50,000 GWH total capacity

SPEC researcher Norman Abbey says those environment-friendly savings would actually replace a dozen greenhouse-gas-belching generators like the 2,100 GWH gas-fired plant Hydro is proposing for Duke Point in Nanaimo.

"This information must be made available to the ratepayers who paid for Hydro's study, and who overwhelmingly oppose Hydro's fossil fuel plan." says Abbey. "Hydro's own study offers BC a bridge strategy to a secure energy future which supports Canada's Kyoto commitment instead of undermining it". Abbey notes that the report complements a 1985 SPEC report documenting "Renewable Energy Potential for the Regional District of Nanaimo".

Hydro communications expert Ted Olynyk told SPEC on April 23 that "I will forward your request (that Hydro post the report on its web-site) to …the relevant people. …. I will do the best I can."

-30-

Information:

Norman Abbey: SPEC researcher, (250)754-2554 <nabbey@island.net>
SPEC campaign Index

To RETURN to INDEX close this browser window

998