WHEREAS the Burrard Thermal Generating Plant BTGP in Port Moody has the capacity to generate approximately 10 of the total electricity demand supplied by BC Hydro, is a firm source located within the region that consumes approximately 50 of BC Hydros capacity and thus is strategically located to supply electricity during emergency conditions such as ice storms which could affect transmission lines; AND WHEREAS pollution from the plant is not a reason to close the plant given that a number of improvements in recent years have significantly reduced emissions of smog-producing pollutants, there is no significant negative impact from the plant on water quality in Burrard Inlet, BTGP releases only a small fraction of the green house gases GHG emitted from vehicles in Metro Vancouver, has been well maintained and thus continues to have a reasonable life span well beyond 2014 and particularly given that BTGP operates primarily during the winter months to meet peak energy demand when the generation of smog-producing chemicals is of least concern; AND WHEREAS using Burrard Thermal rather than purchasing electricity from coal-fired sources outside British Columbia is consistent with provincial energy policies to promote self-sufficiency and reduce GHG production and thus could avoid anticipated electricity shortages that will occur in the absence of a continued reliance on BTGP: THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED that UBCM request that the BC provincial government not close the Burrard Thermal Generating Plant in 2014 which, according to the Provincial Energy Plan would result in an electricity shortage, but rather keep BTGP in operation and fully maintained as a firm, reliable and relatively clean energy source to help meet the Provinces electricity needs during high demand periods, such as the winter months, or emergency conditions as well as providing ongoing voltage regulation.
Ministry of Energy, Mines and Petroleum Resources In its 2008 Long Term Acquisition Plan 2008 LTAP, BC Hydro has asked the British Columbia Utilities Commission BCUC to endorse BC Hydros proposal to rely on Burrard for planning purposes for 900 megawatt of dependable capacity and 3,000 gigawatt hours of firm energy per year until at least 2019. The Government recognizes that the value of the capacity, energy and voltage support provided by Burrard may warrant continuing to keep the plant available if needed for peaks in demand for example, resulting from cold winter weather, Christmas lighting, and to deal with other resources being unexpectedly unavailable. These may continue to be appropriate longer term roles for Burrard if the plant remains cost effective. The BCUC will continue to oversee the resource plans of utilities, and will review BC Hydros 2008 LTAP, including BC Hydros plans for Burrard, and will approve the projects and plans it deems to be cost effective and in the public interest.