West Kelowna, BC City Council has voted unanimously to formally object BC Hydro proposal to build transmission airlines as part of a project to add a the second energy source in the city, asking the utility to install underground lines instead.
“We’ve really advocated since we incorporated in 2007 for excess energy. It’s extremely important,” said West Kelowna Mayor Gord Milsom. “But we don’t want airlines.”
The decision comes as concerns continue to grow among residents, businesses and local helicopter operators over the potential impact of the transmission towers, which can reach up to 100 feet tall and crisscross the community as BC Hydro considers different routes.
“There are helicopter operations that say if this happens then it affects our airfield, we can no longer operate,” Coun. said Rick de Jong at the last council meeting on June 23.
The issue has attracted renewed attention after last month’s flash fire in Kalamoir Regional Park, where local helicopter companies played a role in the firefighting efforts.
“I was close to the Kalamoir Park fire, too close for comfort, and we saw helicopters coming in and out of Valhalla and Wildcat and Alpine,” said Justin Pasutto, a West Kelowna resident who opposes the airlines.
City officials say they have heard from some helicopter operators who are concerned that the proposed transmission lines could interfere with their operations.
In a statement to Global News, Alpine Helicopters said it has recently had “some constructive discussions with BC Hydro recently and they understand our concerns.”
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Opposition to the project extends beyond aviation. Many residents have expressed concern that the airlines will have lasting impacts on the community.
Now, after months of debate, city council has officially made its position known by unanimously voting to send a letter to both BC Hydro and the BC Utilities Commission.
“From our perspective, these transmission lines, if they’re above ground … the concern is that we’re going to have these lines within our community for generations to come,” Milsom said.
“It’s not the Okanagan way of life or way of life to have these 100-foot lines going through our community.”
Milson said the purpose of the letter is to make BC Hydro aware that it is opposed to the overhead transmission line option, as well as to encourage it to pursue the more expensive underground alternative.
Pasutto is among residents applauding the city for listening to their concerns.
“This is not the city of West Kelowna that it was 17 years ago when this project was first brought into everyone’s focus,” Pasutto said. “They’re listening to this and they want this to be done right.”
BC Hydro said burying transmission lines would cost roughly 10 times more than building them above.
In an email to Global News, the company added, “Underground construction is more complex, takes longer to complete, requires coordination with other underground utilities, and typically causes greater traffic disruptions and soil disturbances during construction.
“Underground lines may also be more difficult to relocate to accommodate future development, and breaks may take longer to locate and repair.”
Some are so anti-airline that they would rather continue to rely on a single energy source than accept transmission airlines.
“The scar it will leave on this community for years to come is irreversible,” said City Councilman Garrett Millsap.
“I’m fine with hooking up a generator to my house if they can’t figure out how to put the power lines underground.”
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