Peachland Urges Province for a Second Power Line Following Recent Outages

Peachland and West Kelowna are escalating their call for a second power line following a recent outage, prompting the Peachland council to prioritize lobbying efforts at the upcoming Union of B.C. Municipalities convention in Vancouver.

Council member Terry Condon spearheaded the move to prioritize discussions with Josie Osbourne, the minister of energy, mines, and low carbon innovation, who holds the potential to promise a second power line to the region. Currently, the area is reliant on a single power line originating from Merritt. The outage on May 16, caused by a bird, emphasized the critical need for a backup power supply.

Administrator Joe Creron emphasized the severe impact of power outages, leading to the closure of businesses and disruption within the community. The council also aims to engage with other key provincial ministers to address various pressing issues.

Peachland council intends to press the province for necessary support to advance the long-awaited transportation connectivity project, impeded by the lack of access to provincial highways. The discussions with provincial ministers are expected to cover a wide range of topics, including essential infrastructure needs and community development initiatives.

The proposal for a second power line has been under discussion for an extended period, with previous indications of progress towards bringing power from the FortisBC system to the BC Hydro network on the Westside. In addition to Osbourne, the council seeks discussions with Municipal Affairs Minister Anne Kang, Jobs Minister Brenda Bailey, Minister of Transportation and Infrastructure Rob Fleming, and other key stakeholders to address multifaceted challenges in the region.

Furthermore, the council aims to engage with various ministers on matters concerning watershed management, invasive species control, child-care facility establishment, and financial support for community initiatives. The concerted lobbying efforts at the upcoming convention signify the community’s strong commitment to addressing critical needs and enhancing overall resilience.