NewsAlert:Site C dam report says benefits of project are clear

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An -billion hydroelectric dam proposed by British Columbia\'s Crown utility would cause significant adverse effects on the environment and wildlife, as well as aboriginals, farmers and other users of the Peace River valley, says a report by the joint review panel weighing the project. THE CANADIAN PRESS/HO, Peace Valley Environment Association - Don Hoffmann

VANCOUVER – The joint review panel weighing the future of the massive Site C hydro electric dam in northern British Columbia says the benefits of the project are clear.

In a report that gives no clear yes or no answer, the panel says there are significant adverse effects, but there are few alternatives to provide the kind of long-term energy source the dam would provide.

The report was submitted earlier this week and the provincial and federal governments have six months to make a decision.

The dam proposed by BC Hydro would be the third on the Peace River in northeastern B.C.

It would create a 9,330-hectare reservoir along 83 kilometres of the river, flooding about 5,550 hectares of land.

The dam is estimated to generate up to 1,100 megawatts of capacity — or enough to power the equivalent of 450,000 homes a year.

BC Hydro says it is a clean, cost-effective source of much-needed electricity for British Columbia, but opponents say it will cause irreparable harm to an important agricultural region.

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