All posts by Roy Hales

Transportation

Protesting Service Cuts to an Overpriced BC Ferry System

Thousands of people may be descending on Victoria on March 11, protesting service cuts to an overpriced BC Ferry System.

Notices have been posted in local webpages like the Salt Spring Exchange and Cortes Island Tideline  Buses are accepting a $10 donation to transport passengers from Campbell River to Victoria, so that demonstrators can “make it back for dinner time!” Another bus will be leaving the Sunshine Coast at 6:20 am and will reach  Victoria at 11:30. On April 1, 2014, the BC Ferries system intends to cut 7,000 sailings.

Continue reading Protesting Service Cuts to an Overpriced BC Ferry System →
Transportation

Metro Vancouver Will have Canada’s Longest Transit System

1 Comment

“You know that  it is a tradition in the tunnel boring industry to name the machine after woman,” British Columbia’s Premier, Christy Clark, began. “We are here today to christen this machine Alice, after  Alice Wilson who was the very first woman they ever hired in the Geological Survey of Canada.” Once the tunnel it bores is operational, Metro Vancouver will have Canada’s longest transit system.

Continue reading Metro Vancouver Will have Canada’s Longest Transit System →
Energy

BC Hydro Files Application To Increase Nameplate Net Metering Capacity to 100 kW

On February 28, 2014, BC Hydro filed an application to the BC Utilities Commission to increase the nameplate capacity limit under Net Metering from 50 to 100 kW.

There are presently around 250 rooftop solar installations, generating around 2.1 MW,  in the province.

Continue reading BC Hydro Files Application To Increase Nameplate Net Metering Capacity to 100 kW →
energy efficiency, Finances

How 204 US mayors spent their stimulus money

As part of the economic stimulus package five years ago, Congress allotted $3.2 billion for Energy Efficiency and Conservation Block Grants (EECBG) to be spent by local governments. 204 US mayors filled out questionnaires explaining how that money was spent in their cities.

Continue reading How 204 US mayors spent their stimulus money →
Environment

SNC Lavelin Hired for Health Assessment of Proposed Surrey Fraser Docks Coal Terminal

1 Comment

By Roy L Hales

Port Metro Vancouver will not make a final decision about the Surrey Fraser Docks’ application to build a Direct Transfer Facility until June. According to Tim Blair, Senior Planner of Port Metro Vancouver, they are waiting for Surrey Fraser  Docks to submit a health assessment. One has to wonder if it is not a foregone conclusion. Blair said that SNC Lavelin, the same company that prepared the proposed coal facility’s Environmental Impact Statement, was retained for the health assessment.

In their original report, SNC Lavelin stated the proposed terminal would “not likely cause significant adverse effects to the environment or human health.”

Continue reading SNC Lavelin Hired for Health Assessment of Proposed Surrey Fraser Docks Coal Terminal →