Re: News & Articles - Thursday, April 15, 2010
Title: NORTHWEST TRANSMISSION LINE PROJECT ENVIRONMENTAL REVIEW UNDERWAY
Bc Transmission Corporation
INFORMATION BULLETIN

VANCOUVER -- British Columbia Transmission Corporation's (BCTC) Application for an Environmental Assessment Certificate for the Northwest Transmission Line (NTL) is now in the formal review process with the BC Environmental Assessment Office (BCEAO).

The proposed project, a 335 km, 287 kV transmission line between Skeena Substation near Terrace and a new substation to be built near Bob Quinn Lake, will help build the northwest region's economy. This new line will provide a secure interconnection point for clean power projects to the transmission grid and customers, and provide clean electricity to potential industrial developments. As well, some communities now using diesel generators in the area could be connected to BC's electricity grid.

Receipt of an Environmental Assessment Certificate (EAC) from the BCEAO is required before NTL construction can begin. The environmental assessment process is designed to obtain input from interested parties and groups. Next steps include the BCEAO conducting a 180-day review period on the project's application. This will include a 45-day public comment period from April 26 to midnight June 10, 2010.

During the public comment period the BCEAO will host three public information sessions (open houses). BCTC staff will also be present to answer questions about the proposed project.

Dease Lake
Community Hall
April 27, 2010

Smithers
Hudson Bay Lodge, 3251 Highway 16 East
April 28, 2010

Terrace
Coast Inn of the West, 4620 Lakelse Avenue
April 29, 2010

Interested parties are encouraged to submit written comments to the BCEAO and to participate in the public information sessions to have their views about the project heard by the regulatory body before it makes its recommendation to government.

Since 2007, extensive consultation on the NTL has taken place through community information sessions, meetings, responses to information requests, regular public updates and workshops with the Nisga'a Nation, First Nations, municipalities, regional districts, stakeholder groups, land owners and interested parties.

By providing clean power to industry and communities, the NTL will help reduce greenhouse gas emission in Northwest BC. BC is recognized as a clean energy powerhouse and this project supports British Columbia's climate action goal of reducing greenhouse gas emissions by 33 per cent by 2020.

More information on BCTC's application is online at www.bctc.com. Copies of the application will be available for viewing starting April 26 at:

• The public libraries in Terrace, Smithers, Stewart, Hazelton, and Vancouver (Central branch)
• The Dease Lake Learning Centre/Northern Lights College Library
• BCTC's corporate office located in Vancouver

The Application, along with more information on the environmental review process, will be posted April 26 on the BCEAO website at www.eao.gov.bc.ca.

BC Transmission Corporation is the Crown corporation that is responsible for managing the province's publicly owned electrical transmission system. It's BCTC's job to move electricity from where it is generated to communities where it is needed.
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For more information: BCTC Public Affairs 604.699.7298

Related information:

1. BC Environmental Assessment Office: Open House and Invitation to comment
An electronic copy of the Application and information regarding the environmental assessment process will be available on April 26, 2010 at www.eao.gov.bc.ca.

2. BC Transmission Corporation: Northwest Transmission Line Project Update Spring 2010
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Message sent on Mon Apr 19, 2010 at 6:42:44 AM Pacific Time