Opposition Rises in Interlakes Region Over Proposed Power Line for Yellowhead Copper Mine

Sam Magee, the vice president of corporate affairs with Taseko Mines, said that the point of interconnection for the supply of the power was advised by B.C. Hydro to be at the 100 Mile Substation, in order to power the proposed Yellowhead Copper Mine near Vavenby, B.C. However, some residents in the Interlakes region are opposed to the planned 110 km long, 230 kV power line that would run through the area. Maciej 'Mat' Radoszewski, a resident who has spent years building a sustainable off-grid business, is among those who are fighting against the power line, citing concerns about property values and the destruction of his personal environment. Radoszewski points to a 2018 study that found a significant reduction in property values near transmission lines, and is calling for the route to be tweaked to avoid private land holdings.

Key Takeaways:

• The proposed Yellowhead Copper Mine is expected to produce 90,000 tons of copper ore per day over 25 years, and will require a 110 km long, 230 kV power line to be constructed.
• The power line will run through the Interlakes region, where some residents are opposed to the project due to concerns about property values and the destruction of their personal environment.
• Maciej 'Mat' Radoszewski is leading the opposition to the power line, citing a 2018 study that found a significant reduction in property values near transmission lines.
• The specific routing of the power line has not been finalized, and will be determined through an Environmental Assessment process that will consider environmental factors and public input.
• Taseko Mines is encouraging people with concerns to participate in public consultation events and the comment period to ensure their views are heard and noted.

Statistics:

• TheYellowhead Copper Mine is expected to produce 90,000 tons of copper ore per day over 25 years.
• The power line will be 110 km long and 230 kV in power.
• The 2018 study found a substantive pricing discount of 44.9% for properties adjacent to power lines.

Sources:

• "The Pricing of Power Lines: A Geospacial Approach to Measuring Residential Property Values" by David Wyman and Chris Mothorpe (2018)
• "Email correspondence with the 100 Mile Free Press" by Sam Magee, vice president of corporate affairs with Taseko Mines.
• "Email correspondence with the 100 Mile Free Press" by Maciej 'Mat' Radoszewski