Bear Mountain Wind Project on Schedule

Members of AltaGas were in Dawson Creek Wednesday night to update the community on the progress being made on the Bear Mountain wind project. It wasn't a major turnout, but many residents with a vested interest in the controversial project turned out at KPAC. A minor change was also announced. The decision to move the high power transmission line, which connects the project to the BCTC power grid, a few hundred meters to a better route. This route follows an existing cut line and will make the lines less visible for area residents. This minor change comes just months after AltaGas made the decision to reduce the footprint of the project from 57 turbines to 34. The project itself will use Enercon E-82s, one of the world's most modern wind generators, designed to function in climates similar to that of Bear Mountain. At this point, the project is on schedule, despite it's minor hangups. Road construction is approximately 50 percent completed with turbine foundations expected to be started in July. To date, the footprint of the project is expected to be 35 hectares. And although opinion from area residents is still mixed, AltaGas is hoping to have the project online by next fall.

Alicia Asquith, CJDC TV News Dawson Creek