OTTAWA, May 8, 2008 - Canada's Environment Minister, John Baird, announced today that Glacier Power Ltd.'s proposed Dunvegan Hydroelectric Project, on the Peace River near Dunvegan, Alberta, will undergo an environmental assessment by an independent review panel.
The Agency will now hold a public comment period on a draft Agreement to establish a joint review panel (the Panel) with the Alberta Utilities Commission and the Natural Resources Conservation Board. It includes procedures for appointing the Panel members, the proposed terms of reference (i.e. responsibilities), and process for conducting the review. The public comment period ends on June 9, 2008.
$100,000 in participant funding is available to assist individuals and groups to participate in the public hearings phase of the environmental assessment process.
Glacier Power Ltd. is proposing to construct and operate a 100 megawatt (MW) run-of-river hydroelectric project on the Peace River. The powerhouse will consist of 40 turbine units constructed side by side extending from the north bank of the main channel for a total powerhouse length of 288 meters. The power would be transmitted along a new 144 kilovolts (kV) transmission line for approximately 4.3 kilometers to the southeast of the Project to interconnect at an existing 144 kV line.
For more information on this project (visit the Canadian Environmental Assessment Registry, reference number 04-01-2996), on the Participant Funding Program, or for a copy of the draft Agreement, please visit the Agency's Web site.
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The Canadian Environmental Assessment Agency administers the federal environmental assessment process, which identifies the environmental effects of proposed projects and measures to address those effects, in support of sustainable development.
Source:
Nicholas Girard
Senior Communications Advisor
Canadian Environmental Assessment Agency
613-957-0958
nicholas.girard@ceaa-acee.gc.ca
