B.C. looks at hydro expansion on Columbia River system

The British Columbia government continues to give serious consideration to a major hydroelectric expansion project on the Columbia River system.

Energy, Mines and Petroleum Resources Minister Bill Bennett told The Vancouver Sun editorial board on Monday that plans for a 335-megawatt expansion of the Waneta generating station on the Pend d'Oreille River south of Trail are "being seriously scoped out right now."

Plans for the expansion were approved by government regulators in 2008, but Columbia Power Corp. announced nine months ago the process had stalled due to the absence of a deal with BC Hydro to buy the extra power that would be generated.

Last year, Hydro paid Teck Mining $825 million for a one-third share of the electricity produced from the existing, Teck-owned Waneta generating station.

The new project would generate more than twice the amount of electrical capacity Hydro purchased from Teck -- although it would cost substantially more to produce because it would come from a new facility.