Open house planned to discuss contentious hydroelectric project in Atlin, B.C.

Residents of Atlin, B.C. will have the chance to share their thoughts and concerns about a proposed hydroelectric project at an open house on Tuesday night.

The proposed Atlin Hydro Expansion Project would upgrade the existing station, built in 2009, to increase its capacity to generate electricity. The plan is by the Tlingit Homeland Energy Limited Partnership (THELP). 

The outcome of the project will impact the Yukon, as Yukon Energy has discussed buying the additional power if the project is completed in 2024. The expansion would add 8.5 megawatts of renewable energy to the territory's grid to meet winter demand. Each year it would produce about 45 gigawatt hours of hydroelectricity — enough to power 3,750 Yukon homes a year.

In 2021 THELP applied for environmental permits from the B.C. government. It also applied to the Yukon Environmental and Socio-economic Assessment Board for permits related to the project's transmission connection to Jakes Corner, Yukon.

On Jan. 4, the Atlin District Board of Trade will hold an open house at the Recreation Centre Hall to discuss the impacts of the project.

Heather Keny, a member of the Atlin District Board of Trade, said the organization does not have an official position on the project and is trying to give people a public forum to voice their concerns.

"We're in the middle of the consultation period right now with the B.C. government so it's important that the community gets together and just voices their opinions or concerns as a group," Keny said.

Keny believes the project would have serious impacts, environmentally and for the community.

"It's within metres of people's homes, our community campground. This penstock that they're talking about, it's going to involve clear-cutting and crossing private properties," she said.

"They're talking about raising the level of Surprise Lake, which they admit would devastate the grayling spawning. It would impact the Pine Creek Falls, which is one of our landmarks for tourism."

The project's proponent falls under the Taku Group of Companies, which is the economic development arm of the Taku River Tlingit First Nation. 

THELP will be at the event, with its spokesperson saying they want to "repeat the facts about the project."

Peter Kirby, CEO of the Taku Group of Companies, doesn't blame people for having concerns. He said public meetings held in the past were sparsely attended, but he expects residents to come with questions.

"[When] you don't know something, concerns arise. So we've put out accurate information about what we intend to do," Kirby said.