Next Steps on the Site C Clean Energy Project

October 14, 2014 – Ottawa, ON – Office of the Minister of the Environment

BC Hydro is proposing to construct the Site C Clean Energy Project (Site C) on the Peace River near Fort St. John in northeastern British Columbia (B.C.). The project consists of an earthfill dam, reservoir and an 1100 megawatt (MW) generating station that would operate for more than 100 years, producing enough electricity for 450,000 homes.

The Site C project has undergone a thorough and rigorous review by an independent Joint Review Panel. The independent panel held public hearings in and around the relevant communities. This process included extensive, meaningful and respectful consultations with the public and Aboriginal groups and provided an opportunity for experts outside government to weigh in and to provide a variety of information and comments both for and against the project. The environmental assessment process, from start to finish, provided the scientific and technical expertise and the effective engagement of the public and Aboriginal groups to enable an informed decision by both governments.

Today, the Honourable Leona Aglukkaq, Minister of the Environment and Minister responsible for the Canadian Environmental Assessment Agency, issued a decision statement under the Canadian Environmental Assessment Act, 2012 (CEAA 2012) for the proposed Site C Clean Energy Project.

The Governor in Council has determined that environmental effects of the Site C project are justified in the circumstances therefore the Site C project may proceed in accordance with conditions set out in the Decision Statement. The Minister's Decision Statement includes mitigation measures and follow-up program requirements that must be implemented by the proponent, BC Hydro, throughout the life of the project.

Under the compliance and enforcement measures of CEAA 2012, proponents of projects that are granted approval to proceed are legally obligated to comply with conditions set out in the Decision Statement.

Before the project will proceed, the proponent must make a determination whether or not to proceed. If the determination is to proceed, the proponent will be required to seek out a variety of federal regulatory approvals from the Department of Fisheries and Oceans (Fisheries Act) and Transport Canada (Navigation Protection Act) and a variety of provincial regulatory approvals. These regulatory approvals will be required throughout various stages in the project.

Associated Links

• The EA Decision Statement and a Backgrounder, as well as the Ministerial Statement and information on the environmental assessment of the project are available at www.canada.ca/en/environmental-assessment-agency.html
• Proposed Site C project (Canadian Environmental Assessment Agency)
• Responsible Resource Development (Canada's Economic Action Plan)

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Contacts

Ted Laking
Office of the Minister of the Environment
Tel.: 819-997-1441

Lucille Jamault
Canadian Environmental Assessment Agency
Tel.: 613-957-0434
lucille.jamault@ceaa-acee.gc.ca