BC Hydro safety expert repeatedly warned bosses about fracking risk to dams, FOI documents show

A dam-safety specialist at BC Hydro repeatedly raised concerns about the proximity of fracking operations to dams innortheastern B.C. and the risk of damage from fracking-induced earthquakes, according to documents gathered through Freedom of Information requestsbut the concerns were dismissed by his superiors.

The internal documents were obtainedby the Canadian Centre for Policy Alternatives and included in a report titledPeace Canyon Frack-Up, in which author Ben Parfittsaysfracking and the earthquakes it can cause may threatendam infrastructure.

Some of BC Hydro's biggest dams are found in the Peace Region. It's anareadotted with natural gas operations many of which now rely on hydraulic fracturing, or fracking, to extract the gas. The utility operates its huge W.A.C. Bennett Dam and Peace Canyon Dam on the Peace Riverand is building itsSite C Dam on the same river.

The documents, which have been shared with CBCNews,show BC Hydro dam safety specialistScott Gillissrepeatedly raising the issue of earthquakes caused by fracking, the increase of nearby fracking activity and dam safety with superiors.

The documents show that Gilliss is told his "broken record" warnings have been heard and brought to the "highest level" provincial ministers.

But according to thedocuments and Parfitt's report, that's as far as it went. Gilliss was told it was a "dead issue."

Previous warnings

In2016, CBC News covered Parfitt'sworkand similarwarnings he uncovered at the time, but the resource policy analyst says he has gathered much more information in three years worth of additionalFOI requests.

"We have learned that there are much greater risks to BC Hydro's dams, and in particular its Peace Canyon Dam, should earthquakes occur near the dams," he said. "The Peace Canyon Dam has known foundational problems, that there is an increased risk to damage to that dam by nearby earthquakes."

In November2018, a4.5 magnitude earthquake believed to be caused by fracking was felt at the Site C Dam construction sitewhich led to a brief work stoppage and inspection to ensure there was no damage.

When Parfitt's warnings were first aired, Chris O'Riley, then deputy CEO of BC Hydro, said concerns about risksfrom fracking were overblown. Now, despite the new documents, the utility's position is unchanged.

"We don't believe there's any concern for the safety of our dams," said Bob Schubak, director of dam safety at BC Hydro. "We would acknowledge that a very close earthquake would cause some damage to our equipment."

Buthe said damagewould be limited to shutting down power generation not anything that would compromise the structural integrity of the Peace Canyon Damwhich is just upriver from the town of Hudson's Hope.

Peace Canyon Dam issues

Parfitt said that BC Hydro ought to immediately undertake seismic upgrades to ensure disaster doesn't strike at Peace Canyon Dam.

According to Schubak, the utility is already considering work to bring the dam, which was completed in 1980, up to modern seismic standards. He said upgrade projects are expected in the late 2020s.

Parfitt also called on the B.C. Oil and Gas Commission, which regulates fracking operations, to ban all fracking within 10 kilometres of hydroelectric dams. Parfittsuggests any fracking within a 15-kilometre range beyond that should be specifically authorized after careful consideration.

The commission said in a written statement that there are no fracking wells within fivekilometres of any BC Hydro dam, and none within 10 kilometresof the W.A.C. Bennett or Peace Canyon dams.

Listen to interviews with Parfitt and Schubak by clicking play on the audio below.

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