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For Immediate Release: August 13, 2007

Two new reports help answer questions, raise others, on the sustainability of
run-of-river hydropower

Coquitlam, BC –Watershed Watch today released two reports that expose
weaknesses in how government and industry measure, monitor, and minimize the
impacts of “green” hydropower in British Columbia.
“Currently, neither industry nor the provincial government can ensure the
sustainability of run-of-river hydro development,” said Watershed Watch
Executive Director Craig Orr. “There is an urgent need for multi-interest planning
on the development of run-of-river hydro projects in the province.”
Run-of-river hydropower projects, often called ‘green’ or independent power
projects (or IPPs), are being vigorously promoted by the provincial government as
an environmentally-friendly solution to humanity’s ever-increasing energy
demands.

But based on the reports, Watershed Watch is calling on government to
dramatically improve how BC consults on, approves, plans and monitors IPP
development in BC.

Run-of-River Hydropower in BC: A Citizen’s Guide to Understanding Approvals,
Impacts, and Sustainability of Independent Power Projects, answers 16 questions
on the nature, benefits, and costs of ‘green’ hydropower. The Citizen’s Guide
findings, and the complex and disjointed approval process for run-of-river projects,
are more fully described in a second, technical document, “Green” Hydro Power:
Understanding Impacts, Approvals, and Sustainability of Run-of-River
Independent Power Projects in British Columbia.

Both reports include a “Top 10 List of Considerations” to help concerned citizens
assess the sustainability of hydro projects (proposed or built) in their communities
(see the list in the attached backgrounder).

“With dozens of run-of-river hydro projects in the implementation and planning
phases, IPPs are a hot topic in BC,” said Craig Orr. “We had been fielding so many
questions and concerns on the sustainability of run-of-river hydropower, we felt
compelled to provide some answers.”

To view reports: www.watershed-watch.org.
For more infor: wwss@telus.net.

Full Press Release (PDF)