No evidence of Prosperity benefit
Williams Lake Tribune - January 4, 2011
Editor:
Re: Bill Carruthers letter of Dec. 21, “Hopefully Taseko can come up with another plan.”
Some good points, especially “We want development that allows for long-term community stability....”
But incorrect on one critical point: “... the tax revenues from this enterprise will go a long way towards paying for our current social structure.”
A report prepared by Dr. Marvin Shaffer of Simon Fraser University concludes that “... Contrary to statements in the EIS suggesting this project would generate billions of dollars of net benefits, the project would appear, based on the available information, to generate significant net costs for British Columbians and Canadians as a whole.
“The estimated costs to B.C. Hydro and its customers, plus the GHG offset costs imposed by this project total almost $38 million per year. That significantly exceeds the estimated employment and government benefits from the project. The quantified consequences suggest net costs averaging $20 million per year over the life of the mine. …
“The only trade-off this project offers is the positive community impacts arising from the increase in regional economic and related opportunities. ... There is no evidence to suggest these are of a magnitude that would offset the very significant costs this project would impose. ... There is no evidence to suggest the project would generate positive net benefits overall.”
And we wonder why B.C. Hydro is increasing rates by more than 30 per cent?
David Williams
President
Friends of the Nemaiah Valley