OPEN LETTER
Hydro-Québec has just revealed a list of 31 construction projects for small hydroelectric power stations submitted by various promoters and whose implementation would result in the destruction of exceptional natural sites as well as significant repercussions on communities. The Charest government ordered this call for tenders from the state-owned company, despite the considerable energy surpluses available to the province.
This new program allows the harnessing of all falls in Quebec, i.e. hydraulic forces, in whole or in part, “in the domain of the State”. We therefore have the right to expect that these projects will be carried out in the public interest, since it is a collective good. However, several groups of citizens have already reported unacceptable situations to Fondation Rivières. It is clear that the process put in place does not meet the challenges of transparency, democracy, economic profitability and sustainable development. In addition, it ignores the recommendations of the Doyon commission (1995-1997), contravenes the Landry government's National Water Policy of 2002 and does not respect the Sustainable Development Act that the Charest government itself established. promulgated.
Right to information
According to the call for tenders, all compliant projects “are automatically selected” and “are subject to immediate award” up to 150 megawatts. No environmental guidelines are given, regardless of whether the falls are located in renowned parks, whether the projects are submitted without prior consultation, whether they involve existing dams, private or secret developers, or sites in indigenous territories. or likely to be protected, or salmon rivers.
In addition, we read in the quote, “the submission is confidential” and “all documents will be treated confidentially”. Citizens are thus deprived of their right to information prior to the awarding of contracts. In the case of the Franquelin River for example, the BAPE did not make public, nor interpreted or validated all the information brought to its attention during the hearings it held. The citizens of Franquelin have not been able, to date, to see the contract signed with the private partner firm, know the details of the cost and anticipated profits, judge possible impact mitigation measures or discuss the various implementation clauses. work of the project.
Still in this case, the promoter refuses to increase the reserved flow by 0.9 m3/s up to the reserved flow required for wildlife needs of 1.5 m3/s. However, the Doyon commission, which had notably highlighted the lack of government planning, had recommended that the Ministry of Sustainable Development, Environment and Parks (MDDEP) set and verify the flow reserved for the protection of wildlife, respect the appearance of the premises or participation in aquatic activities, and revises the certificates of authorization if the environmental conditions were insufficient.
Necessary arbitration
So are it the developers who dictate environmental requirements? Which body will arbitrate, in complete transparency, between wildlife and social needs and the demands of developers motivated by profits?
Quebec is experiencing such surpluses in electricity that the newly built private Bécancour power station had to cease its production activities at the request of Hydro-Québec. However, environmental groups had warned the government of the ecological and economic nonsense of this enterprise. Today, Hydro-Québec finds itself having to compensate the owner of the power station at the rate of $150 million per year.
So why is the state-owned company committing, with the Charest government's new program, to purchasing additional electricity that it does not need? And why does it guarantee to pay a price, indexed annually, of 7.5 cents per kilowatt hour? It thus renounces competition and profitability, and becomes an instrument of subsidies for seasoned promoters who have smelled a good deal. This way of doing things, used in the 1990s, led to a drift described by the Doyon commission.
Real needs
Has the cost of managing this program by Hydro-Québec even been evaluated? How many millions will it cost over the next 20 years? What amount will we pay to the firm Deloitte, called in to represent the state company? Why doesn't Hydro-Québec manage this call for tenders itself?
This program is the third to see the light of day since the 1990s. The first led to the creation of the Doyon commission, which recommended that an assessment be carried out before launching any other program, an assessment which is still awaited. A second program, in 2002, established a list of thirty-six sites (falls) made available to developers. The number was subsequently reduced to fourteen and then to three, the only sites where there was already a dam. The Landry government finally decided to protect all virgin natural sites, a politically courageous change of course.
We therefore ask the Charest government that, like its predecessor and in this context of energy surplus and electricity at very low prices, it presents all the information relating to real electricity needs and renounces the multiplication of dams on virgin natural sites. Hydro-Québec, the BAPE and the ministries must, before any recommendation and before any commitment, respect the principles of the Sustainable Development Act. Furthermore, we ask that all citizens have access to comprehensive information and that decisions be made using the precautionary principle. Remember that water, recognized as a collective good, is not the exclusive jurisdiction of the immediate environment. Although they are the first affected by the projects, regional stakeholders do not hold exclusive rights or privileges.
Over the coming weeks, Fondation Rivières will continue to promote emerging alternative solutions (see www.avecenergie.org) and will support citizens who wonder about these projects, are concerned or oppose them. We are calling on everyone to shed light on this issue.
Roy Dupuis, president
Fondation Rivières
Photo: Brian McDougall's small hydroelectric power station, near Rivières-du-Loup
