Canadian utility BC Hydro has submitted an environmental impact statement for its proposed 1,100-MW Site C hydropower project to the Canadian Environmental Assessment Agency and British Columbia Environmental Assessment Office, HydroWorld.com has learned.

Included in the impact statement are justifications for the US$7.8 billion project, and potential effects and proposed measures to avoid or mitigate those effects, BC Hydro said.

"The long-term trend is clear -- demand for electricity is growing and BC Hydro is planning now to meet the needs of our customers into the future," said President and CEO Charles Reid.

The Site C project, to be located on the Peace River in British Columbia's northeast, will now be subject to a review process, including reviews by the government-led Advisory Working Group and an independent Joint Review Panel.

This phase of the review also includes time for public hearings, input from Canada's aboriginal groups, and other organizations and agencies.

HydroWorld.com reported in April 2010 that the British Columbia government had decided to proceed with development of the Site C project after having considering and shelving it several times through the past quarter century.

"Site C builds on our province's hydroelectric heritage and will provide cost-effective, clean and reliable power to meet the needs of customers for generations to come," Site C Energy Project Executive Vice-President Susan Yurkovich said.

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