BC Hydro rejects accusations of air monitoring violations

BC Hydro isrejectingaccusations that Site C dam construction is breaking federal rules for monitoring air quality.

In a letter dated May 26, the Canadian Environmental Assessment Agency warned BC Hydro it could face a hefty fine after the agencyclaims an April inspection found Hydro was not collectingair quality data.

In particular, the letter said, information was not being collected on total suspended particulates, carbon monoxide, nitrogen dioxide and sulphur dioxide.

• Site C construction violating environmental regulations, B.C. Hydro warned
• BC Hydro set to sign Site C dam construction contract worth $1.5B
• Could B.C.'s Site C dam's 'clean' power actually fuel dirty energy?

BC Hydro spokesperson Dave Conway says that is not true, andarguesinspectors are demanding specific data not required by federal rules.

"BC Hydro's monitoring program is designed to monitor those parameters which were identified as having the potential to cause excedances of air quality standards," Conway wrote in a statement."BC Hydro maintains its network of air quality stations in accordance with industry standards, and to standards acceptable by the B.C. Ministry of Environment."

Conway saysBC Hydro is providing real time air quality data to the B.C. government "the appropriate air quality monitoring authority for B.C." and the public utility will install another monitoring stationat the dam site so it can report any air pollution from the construction zone.

With files from Betsy Trumpener