BC Hydro Clean Power Projects Have Capital Investment Value of $3 Billion
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Today, BC Hydro awarded power purchase agreements to 19 projects that were bid into its clean power call for new sources of clean electricity.
Scott Simpson of the Vancouver Sun writes that there are 14 run-of-river hydroelectric projects and five wind projects on the list, which Energy Minister Blair Lekstrom estimates has a capital investment value of $3 billion.
Together, the projects will produce 2,400 gigawatt hours of electricity, which is 50 per cent of BC Hydro’s target. The remaining contracts have not yet been awarded and will represent the other half.
Innergex Renewable Energy has been chosen for three major proposed projects, including Upper Lillooet River, Boulder Creek and North Creek, and will have a total expected installed capacity of 113 megawatts.
Finavera came out strong with 293 megawatts, from four wind energy projects, that are estimated to power more than 75,000 homes.
Meanwhile, Plutonic Power has scaled back its proposed Upper Toba Valley hydroelectric project to two facilities from three and has withdrawn from the proposed Bute Inlet project.
What Does the IPCC Mean for Business?
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What does the confluence of Climategate, Pachauri and the IPPC report errors mean for business? Simply that business leaders need to take a step back, assess the risks of not acting on the climate and weigh in on the larger, politically charged strategies that are attempting to cloud the science of global warming.
In the spirit of Al Gore’s recent op-ed in the New York Times, we simply can’t wish away climate change because it is real and it is happening. This is supported by overwhelming scientific consensus from around the world.
What is critical is that businesses on a trajectory to creating programs — or entire business models — to reduce carbon emissions and advocate for cleaner energy are not deluded or wrong. They are on a more courageous path than those not taking action and are certainly more prepared for the green economy of the 21st century. (more…)
Ranking the World’s Most Sustainable Companies
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As we reported in our Top 5 Sustainability Communications Trends for 2010, companies will continue realigning their core business values to adhere to new demands for greater transparency from stakeholders, competitors, regulators, and consumers.
Today’s Forbes/Corporate Knights ranking of the world’s 100 most sustainable companies is a key proof point for this trend, as the list shows more of the world’s largest companies are communicating sustainability proactively, transparently, and as a core business value.
The list is dominated by companies in Europe and the US that have succeeded in communicating the link between their sustainability initiatives and core strengths and values. Congratulations to to GE and PG&E for breaking the mold and achieving the number one and two rankings respectively.
Over the next 11 months, there will be more opportunities for US companies to show their wares. New 2010 sustainability rankings will be released by the Dow Jones Sustainability and FTSE4Good indices, Newsweek’s Green Rankings of the S&P 500, the Carbon Disclosure Project Leadership Index, and many others. Given the market volatility throughout 2009, noting which companies rose and fell in the rankings this past year tells us much about how sustainability factored into companies’ responses to the economic downturn.
Submitted by Grant Draper, FD Element
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