Cedar Creek – Upper Campbell Lake Electrification Project
The Regional District continues to advocate for progress on this file.
The Regional District continues to advocate for progress on this file and has recently taken the following actions:
- corresponded with BC Hydro seeking further clarification on the reasons for this project being abruptly cancelled in 2015.
- obtained current high-level cost estimates of approximately $6 million for bringing the electric power grid to the Cedar Creek and Upper Campbell Lake areas.
- undertaken research regarding the possibility of additional funding sources, including Federal and Provincial funds, being made available to assist with capital costs of network extension.
According to BC Hydro, the electrification project was cancelled in 2015 because all of the funds earmarked for supporting such extension projects had been allocated elsewhere. BC Hydro is currently suggesting that an update to the 2015 system extension design would require payment by the Regional District of $726,000 which appears to be at odds with the $5,000 shown on BC Hydro’s website for similar projects. Also, according to BC Hydro this project may be eligible for funding under the Uneconomic Extension Allowance (UEA) program but this cannot be verified until after the system extension design has been completed and the number of potential customers has been confirmed.
The Regional District continues to seek other sources of funding that may be available to offset the amounts required from local residents. It would be useful to update the number of primary and seasonal residences that could be served by the extension project. There is also the possibility of filing a complaint with the BC Utilities Commission regarding the manner in which this project was abandoned in 2015.
Before committing to these actions it would be appropriate to meet with local residents to determine whether there is sufficient interest in moving this project forward.
Questions?
Please contact Tom Yates – SRD Senior Manager of Corporate Services at 250-830-6704 | tyates@srd.ca