Courtesy of the City of Williams Lake:The City of Williams Lake was pleased to receive a letter of support from the North Central Local Government Association (NCLGA) on Friday, February 21, urging the provincial government to address the viability of independent power producers utilizing wood fibre and the stability of electricity supply.In February of 2024, Atlantic Power Corporation announced it would cease operations at its Williams Lake power plant in 2025, citing an inability to remain profitable under its current contract with BC Hydro.“For the past year, the City has worked with the Province to find a workable solution between BC Hydro and Atlantic Power Corporation’s Williams Lake power plant,” said Williams Lake Mayor Surinderpal Rathor. “The NCLGA’s support highlights the importance of this issue not just for Williams Lake but for all of Northern B.C.”Representing more than 240 elected officials from 42 local and First Nations governments across North Central B.C., the NCLGA has formally called on the Province to take action. In the letter, NCLGA President Judy Greenaway provided several recommendations including:1.) Short-term measures: Implement rate adjustments for BC Hydro via the BC Utilities Commission to better reflect current market conditions, ensuring that wood-fibre power producers can remain viable and contribute to B.C.’s energy grid.2.) Long-term solutions: Enhance provincial support for improved access to wood fibre supply to ensure the continued operation of biomass energy producers and prevent closures.This past weekend, the City received a letter from the Minister of Energy and Climate Solutions, Adrian Dix, confirming he has requested BC Hydro to engage with Atlantic Power Corporation to explore solutions.The NCLGA's support adds to a growing number of organizations and government officials advocating for the plant's continued operation, including the Cariboo Regional District, Cariboo Chilcotin MLA Lorne Doerkson, Cariboo-Prince George MP Todd Doherty, the Williams Lake and District Chamber of Commerce, Williams Lake First Nation, Xat’sull First Nation, the Downtown Williams Lake Business Improvement Association, United Steelworkers Local 1-2017, and Tsi Del Del Biomass Ltd.The Williams Lake power plant supports approximately 30 full-time direct jobs and serves as a key economic driver for local businesses, including Indigenous-owned enterprises. In 2024, BC Hydro imported 13,600 gigawatt hours of electricity at a cost of nearly $1.4 billion, underscoring the need for local, sustainable energy solutions.The letter from the North Central Local Government Association can be read here
Courtesy of the City of Williams Lake:The City of Williams Lake was pleased to receive a letter of support from the North Central Local Government Association (NCLGA) on Friday, February 21, urging the provincial government to address the viability of independent power producers utilizing wood fibre and the stability of electricity supply.
In February of 2024, Atlantic Power Corporation announced it would cease operations at its Williams Lake power plant in 2025, citing an inability to remain profitable under its current contract with BC Hydro.
“For the past year, the City has worked with the Province to find a workable solution between BC Hydro and Atlantic Power Corporation’s Williams Lake power plant,” said Williams Lake Mayor Surinderpal Rathor. “The NCLGA’s support highlights the importance of this issue not just for Williams Lake but for all of Northern B.C.”
Representing more than 240 elected officials from 42 local and First Nations governments across North Central B.C., the NCLGA has formally called on the Province to take action. In the letter, NCLGA President Judy Greenaway provided several recommendations including:
1.) Short-term measures: Implement rate adjustments for BC Hydro via the BC Utilities Commission to better reflect current market conditions, ensuring that wood-fibre power producers can remain viable and contribute to B.C.’s energy grid.
2.) Long-term solutions: Enhance provincial support for improved access to wood fibre supply to ensure the continued operation of biomass energy producers and prevent closures.
This past weekend, the City received a letter from the Minister of Energy and Climate Solutions, Adrian Dix, confirming he has requested BC Hydro to engage with Atlantic Power Corporation to explore solutions.
The NCLGA's support adds to a growing number of organizations and government officials advocating for the plant's continued operation, including the Cariboo Regional District, Cariboo Chilcotin MLA Lorne Doerkson, Cariboo-Prince George MP Todd Doherty, the Williams Lake and District Chamber of Commerce, Williams Lake First Nation, Xat’sull First Nation, the Downtown Williams Lake Business Improvement Association, United Steelworkers Local 1-2017, and Tsi Del Del Biomass Ltd.
The Williams Lake power plant supports approximately 30 full-time direct jobs and serves as a key economic driver for local businesses, including Indigenous-owned enterprises. In 2024, BC Hydro imported 13,600 gigawatt hours of electricity at a cost of nearly $1.4 billion, underscoring the need for local, sustainable energy solutions.
The letter from the North Central Local Government Association can be read here
