Glacier Power's proposed hydroelectric dam on the Peace River near Fairview, Alberta, received a green light from the Joint Review Panel following a public hearing in late September 2008. The approval was made despite arguments from conservation groups that the environmental impact of the dam would outweigh the benefit of generating a very small amount of electricity estimated to be only 3 percent of the estimated 1310 megawatts (MW) electricity demand in the northwest region during winter months (CEAA 2008b). The Panel approved the project with a series of 21 recommendations in December 2008 reversing an earlier decision in March 2003 to reject the 100 MW run-of-river hydroelectric dam due to concerns about flooding in Peace River and fish migration. Since then, Glacier Power adjusted its proposal and completed additional studies on the Peace River ice regime and the fishery.

The Panel's report has been submitted to the Federal Minister of Environment, the Department of Fisheries and Ocean, and the Government of Alberta. It is up to these government entities to ensure the recommendations of the Joint Review Panel are met. Before the Alberta Utilities Commission can approve construction of the dam under the Hydro and Electric Energy Act, the Alberta Legislative Assembly must pass a Bill to approve the project. As well, the Lieutenant Governor in Council must provide authorization before the project can be approved under the Natural Resources Conservation Board Act.

The Joint Review Panel, comprised of representatives from the Government of Canada, Natural Resources Conservation Board, and Alberta Utilities Commission, heard public input from a number of parties, both supporters and those opposed. All local governments were in favour of the project citing an increased supply of renewable electricity source, greater industrial growth, and increased employment and tax benefits. While most local residents did not object, a group of local residents were opposed to the project, as it would affect their transportation across the river at the Shaftesbury ferry crossing and ice bridge. Although one First Nation supported the project, Athabasca Chipewyan First Nation and Paddle Prairie Métis Settlement expressed concern the project would have to fish, to their traditional lands, and to the Peace Athabasca Delta (CEAA 2008b).

A coalition of groups (Alberta Wilderness Society, Canadian Parks and Wilderness Society Northern Alberta, Peace Parklands Naturalists, and South Peace Environment Association) opposed the project on the grounds that it would inhibit fish movement and harm fish habitat, such as areas for spawning, and potentially lead to fish population decline. The coalition expressed concerned with how the project would impact sediment movement in the river and channel formation. The coalition also claimed the project would satisfy only a small portion (3%) of anticipated electricity demand in winter months in Alberta's northwest and would not outweigh the environmental harm of the project (CEAA 2008b).

Altogether, the adverse effects cited by opponents to the proposal included potential increase in groundwater-related seepage flooding in the Town of Peace River, effects on the Shaftesbury ferry crossing, and potential impacts on some fish species. However, the Panel concluded that benefits to the public interest outweighed those impacts. The Panel also concluded the impacts could be mitigated by adoption of the Panel's recommendations (CEAA 2008a). Ultimately, the Panel considered the most significant benefit of the project to be "a stable and reliable source of green hydroelectric power to Alberta with minimal GHG emissions" (CEAA 2008a). This sentiment may signal a greater willingness to embrace hydroelectric power.

Project description

The run-of-the-river project will be located approximately 2 kilometres west of the Highway 2 bridge crossing at Dunvegan Historic Park. Dunvegan is located 80 kilometres north of Grande Prairie and 20 kilometres south of Fairview.

The project will involve construction of a spillway and powerhouse across the width of the Peace River, so as to increase the water level by on average 6.6 metres. According to the environmental assessment, this structure will result in the creation of a "headpond" (or reservoir) approximately 26 kilometres upstream of the structure. The 40 turbine units will collect the kinetic energy of the water as it moves through them. These turbines will be constructed side by side along the length of the powerhouse (288 metres), from the north to the south banks of the river.

A boat lock will be created for boat movement across the structure and fish ladders will be placed on each bank to allow upstream fish movement, and ten fish sluices between the powerhouse units will allow downstream fish movement. To move the electricity to users, a 144 kV transmission line of 4.3 kilometres will be necessary to interconnect the existing ATCO 144 kV line.

The panel recommended that mitigation measures for fish migration and impacts to fish habitat be monitored and addressed if the mitigation measures are proving insufficient. The panel also recommended an inventory of vegetation that will be affected and transplant of rare plant species, as well as prevention of weed introduction to the area. The panel also recommends that a new Shaftesbury ferry crossing be commissioned (CEAA 2008a). None of the recommendations address groundwater flooding in Peace River that was identified as a possible impact of the project; however, Glacier's proposal commits funding to help prevent basement flooding in the town of Peace River (Government of Alberta 2008).

Sources

Canadian Environmental Assessment Agency (CEAA). 2008a. Executive Summary of the Final Report and Recommendations by the Provincial & Federal Joint Panel on Glacier Power Ltd.'s Dunvegan Hydroelectric Project.

Canadian Environmental Assessment Agency (CEAA). 2008b. Report of the Joint Review Panel: Glacier Power Ltd. Dunvegan Hydroelectric Project Fairview, Alberta. Decision NR 2008-03, December 19, 2008.

Government of Alberta. December 22, 2008. Joint panel decision issued on Glacier Power Ltd. Peace River hydroelectric project: Backgrounder.