A tour of the Waneta Expansion Project

Participants from the Association of Kootenay Boundary Local Government (AKBLG) convention toured the Waneta Expansion Project.

Participants from the Association of Kootenay Boundary Local Government (AKBLG) convention toured the Waneta Expansion Project. As part of this year’s annual event, which is being held in Trail, the partners in the Waneta Expansion Project—Fortis Inc., Columbia Power Corporation and Columbia Basin Trust—are providing the opportunity for regional officials to get a firsthand look at this significant project.

“I remember when, as a minister, I was helping to set the stage to allow this project to move forward,” said Bill Bennett, MLA Kootenay East. “It is very gratifying to see all the good family-supporting jobs in our region from this great project.”

“This four-and-a-half-year, $900 million project is bringing extensive benefits to the communities and regions represented by AKBLG convention participants,” said Audrey Repin, spokesperson for the Waneta Expansion Project. “It is important to us that elected officials have an opportunity to view the construction progress as well as ask questions about the project.”

Recently, the project reached major milestones with the completion of excavation of the powerhouse, intake and tunnels.

Project highlights:                                                                                                                       

• Currently over 250 people are working directly on the project.
• $84 million has been allocated to local businesses for the purchases of goods and services.
• Equity hiring provisions are in place for women, persons with disabilities and/or visible minorities.
• Major excavation for the powerhouse, power tunnels and intake structure was completed and hauled safely without damage to existing facilities and without major environmental incident.
• Upcoming work includes construction of the powerhouse, including carpentry and major concrete work, and the concrete lining of the two circular tunnels which will carry water to the turbines.
• The public can view construction from a viewing area and platform across Highway 22A.

The project has an independent contractor monitoring the social and economic impacts in the local area. The contractor works with the Community Impact Management Committee to ensure the reports are relevant to communities. To view the 2011 annual report please visit: www.columbiapower.org/SEM2011.

The Waneta Expansion Project is a partnership between Fortis Inc., Columbia Power Corporation, and Columbia Basin Trust. For more information please visit: www.columbiapower.org/wanetaexpansion.