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Letters to the editor for the week of July 11th

Renewable energy not all it appears I have been watching Quebec-based Innergex's Upper Lillooet Power Project and was shocked to see it is actually going ahead.
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Renewable energy not all it appears

I have been watching Quebec-based Innergex's Upper Lillooet Power Project and was shocked to see it is actually going ahead. I am a very "fiscally conservative environmentalist" and I hate these Independent Power Projects (IPPs). Hate. Both fiscally and environmentally.

There is an IPP on Downton Lake at James Creek (Gold Bridge Valley) and they have made a mess of the road and watershed. The contractors have just thrown logs around and there is a scar running through the forest for the power lines. I was told that they have an environmental officer on site, but you would never know it with the way that they have done nothing to protect the streams. Plus, I was told that I couldn't drive on the Downton Lake Road because it was 'private'. Having spent the past 25-plus years in the area fishing, camping and staying at my friend's house, I called bullshit to the person telling me that and she backed down admitting it was a public road.

According to the provincial government, 72 per cent of IPPs are located in known or suspected fish-bearing waters. I was not shocked.

But then it was a like being hit by lightning when my fiscal conservative ears pricked up that BC Hydro is contracted to pay a premium to the IPPs that is way more than the market rates. According to a recent editorial in the Times Colonist, "It is sobering to recollect that in the last call for power, B.C. Hydro was required to issue contracts to IPPs for $125 per megawatt-hour — well over double market prices. In fact, B.C. Hydro can currently purchase surplus hydro power from south of the border for as low as $10 a megawatt-hour or less."

Innergex  is already in our backyard.  They run the Fitzsimmons Creek, Rutherford Creek, Ashlu Creek and Miller Creek hydro projects.

We all are very happy to be able to say that our Fitzsimmons powers the mountains. But, the Fitzsimmons Creek Hydroelectric Project is not owned locally in Whistler. Did you know that it presently receives a $10 per megawatt hour (MWh) incentive from the Government of Canada?

There's more.

BC Hydro MUST buy all of the power generated by the project until the year 2050. Interesting to note that the Mount Currie Band and the Squamish Band are entitled to royalties and are also entitled to an incremental share of gross revenues exceeding a yearly threshold of gross revenues. In English, taxpayers are also subsidizing the bands indirectly.

According to documents filed with the Toronto Stock Exchange, the average price per MWh paid by BC Hydro for power generated at Fitzsimmons in 2012 was $90.58. Using Ontario as a baseline, the 2012 average price for power according to the Canadian National Energy Board was $30 per MWh. Nice Profit. Don't forget to tack on the extra $10 per MWh in federal subsidies.

Innergex had an EBITDA in 2012 of $108 million on revenues of $180 million all attributed to provincial crown corporations. Let me spell that out. Innergex's only customer is the government and their profit margin is a whopping 60 per cent. Outstanding numbers on the back of subsidies being paid for by taxpayers!

Do we need this extra project? Do we need the extra power? B.C. Hydro is forecast to lose a billion dollars over the next four years because it has a surplus and is committed by contract to the tune of $54 billion in energy-purchase agreements to IPP's.

Sea to Sky residents have two options. Voice their concerns immediately with politicians or buy stock in Innergex on the TSX where it is rated a "strong buy."

Patrick Smyth

Whistler

Canada Day rescue

To celebrate Canada Day two friends and I went canoeing on Green Lake. We started in Emerald and spent several hours exploring the shoreline while paddling down to the Fitzsimmons Delta, where we planned to picnic. We were having a fabulous day, enjoying the views and sunshine when we noticed a float plane preparing to take off. We took out our cameras in anticipation when our canoe suddenly became unstable and capsized.

We're all massively grateful to Chris Cameron, the Whistler Air float plane pilot who rescued my friends, and Bruce Barker who rescued me in a motor boat. Without their quick thinking and assistance we might not have all made it.

We are ever so thankful to all the kind people and responders who helped us that Canada Day. It was a serious reminder of the importance of boater safety. Be careful out there.

Mo, Chris and Marc

Community steps up

In the past I have been skeptical of public letters of thanks. Perhaps I found them too formulaic or predictable. Having recently organized the annual Pemberton Valley Trails Association fundraiser I realize that these letters are not simply about giving thanks to worthy individuals and businesses, they are an indication of our community's ability to find common cause and support one another. It is a tribute to those who attended and contributed that we were able to support a worthy cause and have a good time while acknowledging the previous week's tragedy. To find solace in a gathering designed to enhance the future of our trails indicates the complexity and health of our community.

To everyone who attended, contributed, and maybe danced a little I am grateful for your support. For my fellow PVTA directors who provided guidance and assistance I am thankful. This event would not be possible without donations from businesses within the community. I have no doubt that they are frequently asked to help out a variety of worthy causes. It is my opinion that the support of these businesses goes beyond the benefit to them of a little free advertising and the benefit provided to our trails. Rather, the contributions of businesses and individuals alike create the foundation of what makes the Pemberton and Whistler community so uniquely vibrant and authentic.

Thanks goes out to our photographers Brad Holmes, Dave Steers, and Simon Bedford. An enormous "good on you" to our business supporters BikeCo, Blackcomb Aviation, Can-Ski, Chromag, Deejay Phroh, Evolution, Fanatyk Co, Foon Skis, Garbanzo Bike and Bean, Ivy Esthetics, Kula Wellness Centre, Lambrecht Surfboards, Laughing Crow Organics, Linda Guanti, Mile One Eating House, Mount Currie Coffee Company, North Shore Billet, Pemberton Distillery, Pemberton Valley Coffee Company, Showcase Snowboards, Summit Sport, Tadasana, Tyax Resort and Spa, and Whistler Brewing. All of the above individuals and businesses stepped up to support your local trails.

See you on the trails,

Ian Kruger

Pemberton

Support during tough week

While its been a tough week for Pemberton, I'm impressed by the community support and gatherings both on July 1st and Saturday night for the Pemberton Valley Trails Association's annual "Funraiser." Celebrating our great outdoor sports is a way of continuing the traditions that have become central for our community while recognizing the past achievements by very special community members.

My thanks to the organizers, sponsors, volunteers and our local municipalities for their support for the great asset our trails have become for locals and visitors alike. It was great to see all ages represented in the resurrected Spud Run last week and indeed at the social gathering for the PVTA Fundraiser. The money raised will go towards the new Mt. Currie Trail route as well as maintaining other works in progress.

Again, thanks to all.

Jan Naylor

Pemberton

An easy first step

In last week's letter-to-the-editor section, Mathiew Samson issued a challenge. He said that he would keep his stance on plastic bags being necessary "until someone proves to me they don't use ANY plastic bags and that their leaky garbage is not found flying around." I will try and prove it to you, and see if you and others will see that it is possible to live without plastic shopping bags.

First, it is plastic shopping bags that the community is looking to replace. Not plastic produce bags, plastic dog-poo bags or any other plastic bags other than what your purchased item is placed in at the till.

I have lived without plastic shopping bags for over a decade and have not used one to line my garbage since I gave them up. How do I do this? Giving them up was easy, I remember to bring bags with me when I go shopping — or I just don't go shopping that day. With this attitude it doesn't take long to remember my bags. Since I have a collection of reusable bags at home, I use them for all sorts of things. In fact, if I have something I want to give you and you need a bag for it, I will likely give you one of my reusable bags to keep. So the reusable bags carry my groceries, items I need during the day, my lunch and anything else needing easy transport.

Now how do I go without a liner in my garbage? One word: compost. Whistler has a great compost system — anyone wanting to drop off their food waste can do so at both the Nesters and Function Junction waste stations. Keeping compost out of your garbage solves needing a bin liner, as you remove the wet part of the garbage. No need for a liner in the compost bin, you just need a container with a lid and can wash it out after dumping the compost.

Getting rid of plastic grocery bags over 10 years ago was an easy first step for me. I have since reduced my garbage dramatically. I look at what I am buying and try and purchase package-free as much as possible (which with food is pretty much always, except for the occasional treat). I purchase items in bulk, make food from scratch and think about the end life of a product and its packaging before I decide whether I need it. My sole garbage can in my house is tiny and I only empty it once every few months — and even then it is rarely full. But I am not asking you to take these steps... all I am asking is that you use reusable shopping bags instead of plastic the next time you purchase something.

I should mention that I do this as a working, single parent without a vehicle. I bike my compost and recycling to where they need to go with my baby in tow, and prioritize the time it takes to care for the environment. I feel it is important to do what I can to protect the earth for the future of my child and for all the other living creatures on this wonderful planet of ours.

As a point of clarification, I am with the Association of Whistler Area Residents for the Environment, but I am writing this letter as an individual. AWARE also runs a great Zero Waste Station at the Whistler Farmers Market. Come check us out any Sunday — you can drop off your compost while you are visiting. Mathieu, we would love to meet you and chat about other ways you can reduce your waste. Plastic shopping bags are an easy first step.

Sara Jennings

Whistler

A sweet thank you!

On behalf of the Art Committee of the Whistler Public Library I would like to thank all of you who made the Art Walk kick-off party such a success — we were the "dessert" portion of the event, strategically situated towards the end of the tour it was a perfect way to round out the walk while continuing to take in the amazing art that is on show in our town for the next two months. Alice Lambert, one of our venue artists was on hand to show us how her work evolves and answer questions. Thank you Alice.

I must mention the local companies that jumped on board to provide the goodies that tempted even the most hardened palates. Pure Breads supplied a selection of the most delectable of their wares — mouth-watering and soooooo moreish. Welcome to the village, by the way! Sabrina Perfitt of Sugar Mommas created cookies in the shape of an artist's palette — so clever. The Friends of the WPl came through, as always, with home baked banana bread, butter tarts, various cookies and a savory offering! David's Tea was with us, offering two delicious tea choices (I fell for the Midsummer Night's Dream blend). What a wonderful addition to our community this company is. I am always so delighted and amazed at the generosity of our community businesses — they all make it a pleasure to organize this kind of event.

Thanks go out to Alison Hunter and her always soothing and melodic playing of the harp — not a small instrument to transport but Alison is always stepping up to the plate at our events and we salute her and her ever-growing repertoire.

WPL staff and the Friends are always on hand to host and assist at events and it is a pleasure to work with you all — our library would not be the place it is without you and the time, love and effort that you all put into our very special "community living room".

Please make sure that you visit all the Art Walk venues throughout town in the coming months — the variety of mediums makes you proud to be a part of this amazing town!

Alix Nicoll,

WPL Art Committee

Whistler

Tour de France via bus

Greyhound forever shrinking service is another sad proof that the B.C. government doesn't pay any attention to public transportation. Less for philosophical reasons (the NDP weren't any better than the Socreds, Liberals etc.) and more to sheer ignorance. Our provincial politicians have raised parochialism to the highest degree...

In my youth private companies in France ran inter-cities buses that were very popular as they stopped in the centre of small towns and villages, unlike the railway companies that, when building lines in the 19th century, saved money by building many a rural rail station several kilometres away from two nearby villages along the line, or bypassed them altogether. Buses, obviously, could zig and zag along country lanes from a village to another as necessary.

Then, in the `70s and `80s, wages increased, cars became affordable and even relatively small towns spread out into new suburbs that were car oriented, spelling disaster for both rural buses and trains.

In the mid-`80s the strongly centralized national government created "regions," new administrative divisions of the country that evoked the provinces of the ancient regime, before 1789, with their distinctive culture — right down to the old flags — in an effort to bring the government close to people. Or at least create another level of politicians and bureaucrats.

Regions cannot pass statutory laws but levy their own taxes and receive part of taxes levied by the national government. Regions are supervised by a non-elected representative of the national government that, unlike a Canadian lieutenant-governor, has huge powers, especially during emergencies.

Regions have considerable discretionary power over infrastructural spending, e.g., education, public transit, universities and research, assistance to business owners and more.

Regions directly finance inter-city commuter trains (including buying trains) and departements (a smaller administrative division, each region is divided into several departements) finance inter-cities buses.

Bordeaux, the birthplace of Richard II of England and mine too, is a much smaller town with its suburbs, than Metro Vancouver. It is both the capital of the Aquitaine region (41,308km2 / population 3,286,605) and the capital of the Gironde departement (10,000km2 / population 1,473,569).

The Aquitaine region is serviced by 15 inter-city (commuter) train lines (the longest one for which there is a monthly pass is 235km). One railway line — to the resort town of Arcachon, the main resort of several along an ocean bay that is home to many people working in Bordeaux — has 26 trains in each direction on weekdays, 15 on weekends.

The Gironde departement is serviced by 64 inter-city bus lines that link Bordeaux to 374 small towns. Some of these towns are 100 km away from Bordeaux. So much for the stereotype of Europeans commuting short distances.

Seven private companies run both these commuter buses and school buses (long distance buses are called "autocars" in French to distinguish them from urban buses).

Since autumn 2012 a single trip to any of these towns only cost Euros 2.50. Cheaper with a monthly or yearly pass.

At the time they were carrying over 800,000 passengers a year (school buses not included), likely more now.

Divided motorways are tolled (but then speed is 130km/h), gas is much more expensive than here and so is parking in any town. If one can find parking it is often nowhere near where one is going, as there are car-free areas in pretty much all towns. Some major streets don't allow parking at all, others have lost several lanes to buses and taxis or trams, etc... so it makes sense for many people living both downtown and in the suburbs, or well beyond, to use public transportation.

This is similar to what is found in many countries, including Japan.

J-L Brussac

Coquitlam