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Fortis eyes alternate route

Farmers advised that power lines destined for Tilbury LNG plant could go elsewhere
route
New liens from B.C. Hydro’s Arnott substation in Ladner are required to meet the increased power needs of an expanded FortisBC LNG facility in Tilbury.

Delta farmers are getting encouraging signals that FortisBC is willing to take another route for new power lines to feed a Tilbury LNG plant expansion.

Landowners got a letter from the utility last week noting that after receiving input from farmers, it's taking a step back and looking at other possible route options for the 230kV line.

Several weeks ago, a number of Ladner farmers were informed by FortisBC of a plan to route new power lines through their properties to service the major expansion now underway at the Tilbury liquefied natural gas plant. Property owners were notified by letter that FortisBC and B.C. Hydro plan to install power lines and towers on farms along 68th Street and that the proposal is to have most of the new infrastructure located on the rear portion of the farms.

According to FortisBC, a new overhead electric transmission line connecting Tilbury Island to B.C. Hydro's Arnott substation in Ladner is required to meet the increased power requirements of the expanded FortisBC LNG facility.

Delta's agricultural advisory committee was told approximately 25 properties could be impacted by to different routes. The committee wanted to know why the infrastructure couldn't be built on an existing right-of-way along 72nd Street, which was created when the South Fraser Perimeter Road was constructed.

Concern was also expressed that farmland was being chosen because it's less costly than residential land and because there is a perception there would be less opposition from the community.

Delta Farmers' Institute president David Ryall said they're encouraged FortisBC, which has been meeting with farmers as well as Delta municipal staff, is willing to seriously look at alternatives.

"They have said to me personally that they will review the route and now that they understand the agricultural issue, they'll take that into consideration. They have a couple of rightof-ways which they can go back and review and see if it will fit for them," he said.

Ryall said it remains to be seen how FortisBC will not only service the current $400 million Tilbury expansion but another potential expansion that has been mentioned as well as the Wespac LNG export facility in Tilbury.

A tentative deal has reportedly been struck with Hawaiian Electric, a deal that would trigger a further expansion at the Delta plant. Approval is still required by the Hawaiian Public Utilities Commission.

A FortisBC spokesperson told the Optimist it's still "very early days" as far as exploring any future expansion, but they will keep landowners updated about the future power needs at Tilbury and what is being considered.

Delta South MLA Vicki Huntington said it's encouraging FortisBC appears to be listening.

"I'm very pleased that Fortis has responded to the community and that they are considering alternative routes for their power line proposal. I will continue to meet with Fortis and the B.C. Environmental Assessment Office to bring forward any of our farmers' and landowners' outstanding concerns," Huntington said.