It is beneficial from time to time to step back and consider what we have today.
As long as I can remember people have criticized governments and yet, today, we have a good lifestyle. Governments as a whole have done a good job.
There are the critics who "test" the government and to a degree, press for the best outcome of controversial issues. There is never a perfect solution only what is perceived to be the best solution. Thankfully our governments have, to a great extent, been able to see the facts and negotiate their way to the "best" solution. Never is there a perfect solution - unless you are the critic, the role Eric Allen prefers.
The three provinces with the lowest cost electricity are Quebec, Manitoba and B.C. and all have predominately hydro power. Most dams faced controversy at the time but you might ask yourself "which dam would we decommission now?" I suspect that 20 years from now, Site C will be viewed the same.
Who would like to pay more for their electricity?
The dominant facts show that hydro is the lowest cost supply. No doubt electricity rates will increase, but have you been to the grocery store lately? All cost are going up and as a percentage, I'd rather be working off the lower base hydro rates.
People in the Lower Mainland are so concerned when BC Hydro fires up the Burrard gas-fired facility yet Eric Allen seems to think natural gas is an alternative.
There are people from the Lower Mainland who oppose Site C?
This summer when the water tables dropped, the hydro dam electrical production in the Lower Mainland was suspended to preserve water and the electricity was obtained from Hudson's Hope. Where are those critics now?
The valuable agricultural land?
I drive through the region from time to time and try to spot all that valuable land. Generally I see a lot of cliffs and deciduous trees, some pasture and closer to the proposed dam a significant amount of land under cultivation.
Critics like to expound on the value.
To back up this claim I would like the opposing farmers to make public their tax returns for the past five years.
I believe that would bring value into focus!
Oh, and if money isn't everything - why does David Suzuki have a big and very obvious "Donate Now" button on each of his web releases?
We may not need the power or we may end up generating some revenue by selling power to the U.S. That statement is like saying, let's not have a bank account because we may not need the money later. Eric's answer seems to be to downsize the economy to fit our power supply.
The best way to secure jobs for the future is to ensure we have ample, reasonably priced energy.
Hydro is the cleanest, most cost effective and reliable energy in the world. It helps provides us with the lifestyle we enjoy today and is of most importance for our future. Thanks to today's government for recognizing this fact.
Gerry Lundquist
Prince George
