Residents of Tsawwassen, B.C. are gearing up to protest against plans to upgrade a transmission line that will bring power to about 700,000 residents of Victoria and British Columbia's southern Gulf Islands.
Concerns are being raise as preliminary work began Monday on a project that aims to replace and upgrade an existing 138-kilovolt (kilovolt) transmission line with a new 230 kilovolt infrastructure.
When it is complete the 57-kilometre transmission line will stretch from substations in Ladner on the B.C. mainland, to the Vancouver island town of Duncan , intersecting Tsawwassen along the way.
It will also provide additional power to three southern Gulf Islands, including Salt Spring Island, Parker and Galiano.
Kevin Wright, a Tsawwassen resident, who speaks for Spirit of Delta and other protests groups, said he is concerned about the impact of the line on the environment, migrating birds and about 150 property owners who live along the transmission line route.
"We are going to make sure that they (BC Transmission Corp) meet every measure that they are required to under the law,'' Wright said.
BC Transmission Corp. (BCTC) said it recognizes the right of citizens to voice their opinions in a legal fashion.
However, BCTC said it has a legal obligation to construct the upgraded transmission line, which is proceeding following 12 months of reviews and hearings.
On the 3.7-kilometre Tsawwassen segment, construction involves replacing 78 existing wooden poles with 20 new steel poles on nine residential properties.
The upgrade is scheduled to be completed by October.
