VPLibrary yields 1988 Hydro poll to plot privatization plan: Glen Clark Energy Critic

The moment that the internet came along, public libraries stopped clipping newspaper articles.  The place to go today to see the demarcation line on time is the downtown branch of the Vancouver Public Library, fifth floor, north east corner.

Outside the house, Clark said a whole section of the poll concerned privatization.  The government has announced that it is selling the gas, rail and research and development divisions of Hydro.

Clark, who obtained a copy of the poll, said it asked:

"Would you like to see private sector businesses or companies more involved in designing, building operating generating stations and the electricity distribution systems in BC. or no?'

Clark said the question  went beyond  what has been proposed for privatization -- and hinted at "a radically new plan which involves selling new plan which involves selling dams, selling electricity generation stations, new dams being constructed by the private sector, private facilities, essentially selling everything in British Columbia except the wires."

Energy Minister Jack Davis said the principal finding of the survey was that "Hydro was seen as big and perhaps even competent but inscrutable, hard to deal with, difficult from a customer point of view and that Hydro had to become more human, if you like."

BC Hydro's 'Last Spikes' rail sale has job promises AND retains the Right-Of-Way just like BC Rail's 900 year lease with CNR:

Itel Rail Corp. will consider building a car maintenance shop in B.C. to serve its new shortline and its parent's lease car fleet.  A similar shop approved for an Alabama location will cost $4.5 million US and employ 65.

While Itel will acquire track bed rights to the year 2064, CP Rail will have running rights over a key 12 - km section of Hydro line IN PERPETUITY, in return for a $6.3 million payment.

The 12-km section of line, south of the Fraser River, is used by CP Rail trains delivering coal to an export loading terminal at Roberts Bank.

CP Rail will maintain the segment of former Hydro line and Itel traffic will be able to operate over it FREE of charge.

A CP Rail spokesman said one motive for making the purchase is avoidance of the complication of having Itel involved in the coal haul, with the risk of unrelated labor problems.

In 1987, Hydro drew $200,000 in usage fees from the Roberts Bank coal traffic traffic.

Overall, Hydro's rail division had revenues of $21.5 million and net income of $2.2 million in 1987.

Itel will take over the rail division's 212 employees and honor existing union contracts.

Hydro RETAINS title to the rights-of-way to be controlled by CP Rail and Itel.

Hydro's chairman and chief executive officer Larry Bell said the rights-of-way have huge potential as transportation corridors and, once LOST through the surrender of freehold, would be impossible to regain.

Itel's short-listed rival for the Hydro line were Essex Terminal Railway Co. of Windsor, Ont., and two Vancouver-based companies, Pacific Northern Rail Contractors Corp. and Seanix Technology Inc.