Progress
www.theprogress. s Wednesday, October
The Chilliwack Progres
29, 2014
The Chilliwack
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Metro incinerator estimates too rosy: report Jeff Nagel Black Press Metro Vancouver’s business case to build a second garbage incinerator grossly overestimates electricity revenue and underestimates the project’s costs, according to a report paid for by one of the plan’s biggest critics. It estimates the net costs could be $800 million to $1.3 billion higher than Metro has estimated over the 35-year life of the new waste-to-energy plant. The analysis was conducted by consulting firm ICF International and commissioned by waste disposal firm Belkorp Environmental Services, which stands to lose business if a new incinerator is built. Belkorp operates the Cache Creek landfill – which Metro aims to stop using – and has proposed to build a material recovery facility in Coquitlam that it says could sort more recyclables from what is otherwise garbage. Metro has assumed BC Hydro will pay $100 per megawatt-hour for the power that would be generated over the full life of the project, but the ICF report warns BC Hydro might renegotiate a much lower rate in 15 years, after Metro pays off its capital investment. If the power price drops at that point to $43 per megawatt-hour – which Metro now receives at its existing Burnaby incinerator – electricity revenues would shrink by $362 million, the report said. “One of the really heroic assumptions is the price of electricity that they are going to receive from BC Hydro,” ICF report lead author Seth Hulkower told Coquitlam council Monday. ICF’s estimate of the lifetime project costs are also 18 per cent higher Continued: STUDY/ p10
Kim Harder speaks during the first all-candidates meeting for city councillor at the Best Western on Tuesday. JENNA HAUCK/ PROGRESS
Council candidates get down to business Jennifer Feinberg The Progress Chilliwack is already known for its business friendly reputation. The Progress asked candidates this week how council could be a catalyst for economic development in Chilliwack, attracting even more jobs and investment. Many recognized the role CEPCO already plays as the economic development arm of the city. Candidate Chris Kloot gave credit to past and current councils for keeping taxes low. “Along with CEPCO’s hard work, we need to continue building on this. “We see a lot of benefit already with the new site for UFV and new industrial properties being developed such as Progress Way and the old Cattermole site, and in the past decade thousands of jobs have been
created here with several large companies choosing Chilliwack as the place to be, versus other areas in the Lower Mainland,” Kloot said. Candidate Kim Harder also had praise for what CEPCO has achieved: “Given the impressive number of small and medium sized independently-owned businesses that exist here it would appear that CEPCO is indeed doing its job.” “Youth involvement, public art, green initiatives, heritage preservation, and improved access to nature such as the Mt. Cheam trailhead,” are improvements that would make it even more desirable, Harder said. Incumbent Sue Attrill sees room for improvement, despite being known here for less red tape and bureaucracy. “Employers struggle with getting great long term employees. It is very important that we have a won-
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derful community and quality of life in Chilliwack so that employers have no trouble attracting and keeping staff. Our business tax rate is crucial to attracting economic development and ours is one of the lowest around.” Candidate Phill Bruce said “enticing high tech industry” and more manufacturing industry to Chilliwack is the goal. “Supporting families through strong economic growth by creating well-paying jobs in this community will promote a positive business environment, because that’s the key to helping families prosper,” Bruce said. Candidate Brigida Crosbie said she would: “target the areas needed for development and growth, eventually shifting an area like our downtown core into revitalized segments of the city.”
Tax increment financing, is her idea as a subsidy for redevelopment, infrastructure and other community improvement projects. Candidate Brenda Currie said it’s important show the community what CEPCO does for the community and its goals. “We need to let everyone know we are leaders in economic development and the benefits are job creation. And that is huge!” Candidate Gerry Goosen kept it simple: “We have to keep taxes and fees low; streamline business and building applications or rezoning applications to a level faster than any other municipality in the Fraser Valley, and give start-up incentives ensuring there are valuable and long term benefits for Chilliwack.” Candidate Dick Harrington had harsh criticism for the money spent Continued: BUSINESS/ p10
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