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Powell River receives clean energy award
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| POWER PEOPLE: City of Powell River was named the Power Community of the Year by the Independent Power Producers Association of British Columbia (IPPBC). Mayor Stewart Alsgard [from left], Councillor Dave Formosa, Harvie Campbell, IPPBC chair, and Donald McInnes, IPPBC vice-chair, were present for the award presentation during a gala dinner at the Hyatt Hotel in Vancouver. |
Recognition part of annual conference
Independent power producers named the City of Powell River the Power Community of the Year during a conference in Vancouver.
The Independent Power Producers Association of British Columbia (IPPBC) presented the award to Mayor Stewart Alsgard and Councillor Dave Formosa at a gala dinner on Monday, November 2 at the Hyatt Hotel. The awards were part of the association’s conference, called Powering the Clean Economy, held from November 1 to 3.
Over the past few years, Powell River has embraced and supported new clean energy development, according to a statement from the association, notably the Toba-Montrose run-of-river project being built by Plutonic Power Corporation and GE Energy Financial Services.
Over the course of construction, over 100 people from Powell River have worked on the project, according to IPPBC. “The business community, coordinated by the Powell River Chamber of Commerce and the Powell River Regional Economic Development Society, has been particularly supportive of the Toba Valley projects,” the IPPBC release stated. “In addition to the direct employment opportunities, over 50 local companies have provided goods and services to the project.”
Powell River was cited for its creative approach in leveraging benefits of a large-scale project, said Alsgard. In particular, School District 47 Board of Education, in partnership with the Klahoose First Nation, is providing camp and logistics services for the project while delivering numerous apprenticeship programs on site. “We know that this has also extended into Tla’Amin [Sliammon First Nation],” said Alsgard.
Powell River was the first community to receive this award, Alsgard pointed out. “We were found to be very supportive of clean energy development, not only specifically, but generally, and from that they chose Powell River,” he said. “What it really does is recognize a lot of people who have worked really hard in this area, not without a lot of controversy.”
IPPBC presented other clean energy awards that evening, including two Lifetime Achievement Awards, an Outstanding Contribution by a Volunteer Award and a Meritorious Service Award.
The industry recognizes that communities are a big part of companies obtaining a social licence, said Donald McInnes, IPPBC vice-chair and Plutonic vice-chair and CEO. “It’s a way for the association to recognize communities for their support of the industry,” he said. “Our first time in awarding the Power Community of the Year Award was this year and I personally may be somewhat biased, but I can’t think of a community that’s been more interested and supportive of green power than Powell River at this point.”
BC Premier Gordon Campbell spoke at the conference on Monday, announcing the creation of a green energy advisory task force and a new cabinet committee on climate action and clean energy. Campbell also announced a green energy advisory task force on community engagement and first nations partnerships.
“The premier recognizes that clean energy is a lot more than just about generating electricity,” McInnes said. “It’s about building communities, it’s about enhancing first nations opportunities. Government is recognizing that clean power development can help achieve a broad range of social objectives and having a task force devoted specially to community engagement and community benefit is a great acknowledgement of the broad benefits that can accrue to British Columbia through a clean power strategy.”
The Independent Power Producers Association of British Columbia (IPPBC) presented the award to Mayor Stewart Alsgard and Councillor Dave Formosa at a gala dinner on Monday, November 2 at the Hyatt Hotel. The awards were part of the association’s conference, called Powering the Clean Economy, held from November 1 to 3.
Over the past few years, Powell River has embraced and supported new clean energy development, according to a statement from the association, notably the Toba-Montrose run-of-river project being built by Plutonic Power Corporation and GE Energy Financial Services.
Over the course of construction, over 100 people from Powell River have worked on the project, according to IPPBC. “The business community, coordinated by the Powell River Chamber of Commerce and the Powell River Regional Economic Development Society, has been particularly supportive of the Toba Valley projects,” the IPPBC release stated. “In addition to the direct employment opportunities, over 50 local companies have provided goods and services to the project.”
Powell River was cited for its creative approach in leveraging benefits of a large-scale project, said Alsgard. In particular, School District 47 Board of Education, in partnership with the Klahoose First Nation, is providing camp and logistics services for the project while delivering numerous apprenticeship programs on site. “We know that this has also extended into Tla’Amin [Sliammon First Nation],” said Alsgard.
Powell River was the first community to receive this award, Alsgard pointed out. “We were found to be very supportive of clean energy development, not only specifically, but generally, and from that they chose Powell River,” he said. “What it really does is recognize a lot of people who have worked really hard in this area, not without a lot of controversy.”
IPPBC presented other clean energy awards that evening, including two Lifetime Achievement Awards, an Outstanding Contribution by a Volunteer Award and a Meritorious Service Award.
The industry recognizes that communities are a big part of companies obtaining a social licence, said Donald McInnes, IPPBC vice-chair and Plutonic vice-chair and CEO. “It’s a way for the association to recognize communities for their support of the industry,” he said. “Our first time in awarding the Power Community of the Year Award was this year and I personally may be somewhat biased, but I can’t think of a community that’s been more interested and supportive of green power than Powell River at this point.”
BC Premier Gordon Campbell spoke at the conference on Monday, announcing the creation of a green energy advisory task force and a new cabinet committee on climate action and clean energy. Campbell also announced a green energy advisory task force on community engagement and first nations partnerships.
“The premier recognizes that clean energy is a lot more than just about generating electricity,” McInnes said. “It’s about building communities, it’s about enhancing first nations opportunities. Government is recognizing that clean power development can help achieve a broad range of social objectives and having a task force devoted specially to community engagement and community benefit is a great acknowledgement of the broad benefits that can accrue to British Columbia through a clean power strategy.”
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