Tuesday, September 1, 2020

"Planting the seeds for future economic development ... signals that our region welcomes a cleaner transportation future": Prince Rupert Mayor Lee Brain hails electric charging network announcement

The plans for EV charging stations for Northwest BC
gained a bit more momentum today with a
Federal/Provincial announcement

For travellers of the near future, the road across the Northwest will feature a range of electric charging locations, with word today from the Federal and provincial government of plans to expand on clean energy and vehicle infrastructure across Northern BC.

The Tuesday morning announcement highlighted a number of electronic vehicle charging stations to be introduced along the Highway 16 corridor, with the project set to more than double the number of Level 2 EV charging stations to be made available from Prince George to Haida Gwaii. 

More than $345,000 through the provincial CleanBC Communities Fund and $415,000 through federal government’s Green Infrastructure Stream of the Investing in Canada Infrastructure Program will support these expansion projects. The participating regional districts, municipalities and First Nations will contribute more than $275,000 to the project.

Prince Rupert Mayor Lee Brain, who is currently a member of BC's Climate Solution Council and who has long been an advocate of the EV charging initiative, the focus is on partnerships and sewing seeds for the future.

“This initiative is something that we've been working on at the Charge North Advisory Committee for the last two years and is an example of what can be accomplished when we work together as one to solve common objectives. This infrastructure is key to empowering the use of EVs in the North by our residents and tourists alike, planting the seeds for future economic development and signals that our region welcomes a cleaner transportation future.”

Red icons denote EV charging stations coming soon,
Blue icons the Level Two stations  announced today,
while Green indicate the EV charging stations now open.
(map from ChargeNorth)

Investment in the EV Stations will see new infrastructure in place in 25 communities across Northern and Central BC, in the Northwest and on Haida Gwaii the line up is as follows:

Burns Lake 1 station

Granisle 1 station

Hazelton 1 station

Houston 1 station

Kitimat 2 stations

Nisga'a Nation 5 stations

Prince Rupert 2 stations

Smithers 2 stations

Stewart 1 station

Terrace 2 stations

Haida Gwaii will see four stations built, 1 each at Masset, Tow Hill, Sandspit and Queen Charlotte

As for the two stations planned for Prince Rupert, there were no details relayed as to where they may be located in the city or when they are expected to be in operation. 

In a Facebook post that followed today's announcement, Mr. Brain did note, that in addition to the two EV stations announced for Prince Rupert today, even more of the charging facilities are in the plans moving forward, including a Level 3 fast charger.

The Prince Rupert Mayor also provided some further notes from Charge North, adding the background to his Social Media field.

More on today's announcement from the Federal and Provincial government can be reviewed here.

Mr. Brain last offered an enthusiastic update for Prince Rupert Council on his desires towards a clean solution for vehicles back in March of 2019, that as Charge North began their planning for the network of EV charging stations of the future.

Some further background on the Northwest hopes towards EV Charging can be explored here.

For more items of note from the British Columbia Legislature see our archive page here.






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As rumours of a potential Provincial fall election start to swirl, MLA Rice ramps up the fundraising plans

North Coast MLA Jennifer Rice at Coastal Shellfish earlier this summer
Ms. Rice will share her lessons learned on shell fish as part of an
NDP fundraising online event tonight

Is Premier John Horgan and his government making plans for a fall election? 

That could be the case, at least if the suddenly quickening pace of fundraising planning that is underway is any indication of a potential trip to the polls.

North Coast MLA Jennifer Rice has been sending out alerts over the last few weeks related to fundraising efforts for the NDP, with the latest in her projects set for tonight as Ms. Rice hosts a Video Scallop shucking Cook out, with admission to the virtual online session featuring three different levels of contribution to the NDP cause.




Last month the North Coast MLA tied in her birthday to the NDP fundraising efforts, reminding constituents of the tax relief options that donations to political parties can offer.

To sit in on tonight's scallop session see the event notice here.

Premier Horgan did offer up some thoughts earlier this summer that circumstances could take British Columbians to the polls this fall; while the election rumours of this week come as the Premier finds himself as the most popular political leader in the country.




For more notes on the Legislature see our archive page here.

Further items on the percolating themes of a fall vote can be followed from our political blog D'Arcy McGee.

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As deadline for comments nears, PRPA provides Environmental Effects process update for proposed Ridley Island Export Logistics Platform project

The southern end of Ridley Island is the proposed site for a major
Port related logistics project

A month of consultation on one of the larger Port related projects on Ridley Island is about to come to an end, with September 4th the last day for comment on the Environmental Effects Evaluation background that has been underway since August 6th.

As we outlined in April, the plans for the Ridley Island Export Logistics Platform by the Prince Rupert Port Authority would see a development take place on the south end of Ridley Island, providing for additional space and resources for transit of goods through the Fairview Container Terminal.

With the final day for comment coming up on Friday, the PRPA has provided for some additional notes on the Environmental process, posting a video to their website that offers up a snapshot of the site under consideration.

Jack Smith from the Prince Rupert Port Authority provides
an update on the environmental process for the proposed
Ridley Island Export Logistics Platform

The notes on the potential impact are offered up by Jack Smith, Director of Environmental planning and compliance for the Port and include areas of noise, air quality and what mitigation measures could be put place to address those concerns.

In the presentation, the PRPA makes note of some of the plans towards offsets and how they may address any areas of impact associated to the proposed development.

As part of the update, Mr. Smith takes note of some of the past comments that have been received on the project and how they have been incorporated into the current Environmental Assessment process now underway.

The full documentation on the project is available here.

As well, an overview of the proposed development,  as well as some of their past video presentations related to the Ridley Island Export Logistics Platform can be found on the project page from the PRPA website here.

Those wishing to contribute their comments to the project evaluation can do so by making a submission through their Email address at projects@rupertport.com, a link to the Port's email account is included on the overview page listed above.

For more notes on the project and other Port related themes see our archive page here.


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Emergency Service Files: September 2020











Our Archive of items for the month of September, from the files of law enforcement and other emergency responders in Northwestern British Columbia.





From the North Coast Review


Kitimat RCMP join Terrace RCMP in providing for public updates on calls for service
New Search and Rescue aircraft begins to roll in for RCAF
Northwest RCMP seeking wanted person on failure to attend
Moresby Park search comes to and end, RCMP/BC Coroners Office investigation continues into discovery of human remains 
Province of BC to City of Prince Rupert: On Conservation Service Officer for the city: not enough frequency of calls to warrant position
Man wanted on range of Prince Rupert charges, taken into custody in Edmonton
Prince Rupert RCMP at Moresby Park on Found remains case file
Bear put down by RCMP in West side area Thursday
Wanted man re-captured by Prince Rupert RCMP
September 16 -- Police Conclude Search in Park (RCMP Statement)
September 14 -- Wanted Man captured (RCMP Statement)
September 11 -- Found remains (RCMP Statement)
September 28 -- Kitimat Detachment Service Report (September 20-25)
September 28 -- Terrace Detachment Service Report (September 22-27)
September 24 -- Wanted Person: Failing to attend (RCMP Statement)
September 22 -- Terrace Detachment Service Report (September 11-21)
September 15 -- Terrace Detachment Service Report (September 1-10)
September 15 -- Back to School (RCMP Statement)
September 10 -- Northwest overdoses (video)
September 9 -- Fire in downtown Terrace (video)
September 2 -- Terrace Motor Vehicle Accident (video)
September 22 -- Have you seen Thomas Dennis? (RCMP Statement)
September 18 -- Two people injured following plane crash (RCMP Statement)
September 17 -- Missing Person - Thomas Dominic Dennis (RCMP Statement)
September 16 -- IIO is investigating an incident in Burns Lake (IIO statement)
September 10 -- Smithers arson suspected (video)



Miscellaneous notes

--


Archive of month to month review for 2020






 To return to the most recent blog posting of the day, click here.





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In Praise of Pavement! Prince Rupert City councillor Wade Niesh salutes work of summer paving contractor

Fresh asphalt on Stiles Place downtown, the work in that section of town
was completed late last week by C and C Road Maintenance of Kitimat

Noting that the August weather had not been the best for those on the paving crew working the city's summer paving project. Prince Rupert City Councillor Wade Niesh made note of the work of Contractors C and C Road Maintenance of Kitimat, offering up his impressions on the paving so far at last Monday's City Council session

"I just wanted to make a comment on the paving that's been going on in town, unfortunately weather has not been on their side but when they have been able to get out there and pave the company doing the paving I feel has done a very good job of getting the work done and also doing a great job of the quality of the work. So I just wanted to give them kudos for putting forward some good quality work, because everybody appreciates a nice smooth road without dips"

Councillor Niesh wasn't the only one to comment on the paving work last week, with Councillor Cunningham offering up some quality control observations, drawing attention to some finishing work required around manhole covers from the recently completed areas of paving.


Paving equipment that is being staged near Roosevelt Park School, 
near the Summit Circle intersection which is in dire need of attention and 
offers more than a few challenges for motorists

The 2020 City paving contract was awarded to the Kitimat firm back in June, though it was a decision not universally endorsed by Council membership at the time. 

The decision to go with the out of town bidder, came down to the savings to be found after the contract competition had come to an end.

The company arrived in town in late July to address a range of troublesome areas of the city where the road infrastructure was in need of some new blacktop.

There was no indication from City Council on Monday evening, if the project has remained on schedule and how much longer the paving program will continue into September.

While they have been here, the Kitimat firm has also been taking on some local paving work, with a number of residents of the city taking advantage of their arrival to get their own paving requirements taken care of.

For more notes on the city's infrastructure see our archive page here.

Further notes from last weeks City Council session can be explored from our Council Session Archive page, for a wider overview of past City Council discussion themes see our Council Archive page.

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MP Bachrach self isolates following attendance at Nisga'a Memorial for Dr. Joseph Gosnell

MP Taylor Bachrach will be working by way of phone and Zoom
conferences as he enters a period of COVID related self isolation


MP Taylor Bachrach is heeding the advice of the Nisga'a Valley Health Authority, stepping back from in public appearances for two weeks as he enters a period of self isolation, that following his attendance at the Memorial Service for Nisga'a leader Dr. Joe Gosnell last week.

The Skeena Bulkley Valley MP advised his constituents of his situation on Monday through a Social media posting on Facebook. Mr. Bachrach observing that he was self isolating out of an abundance of caution.

He notes that he will continue on with his MP's work during the period, using phone and video conferences towards his duties.



As we noted over the weekend the Nisga'a Valley Health Authority issued its advisory on Saturday.

The notice from the Health Authority calls on all attendees of the funeral/feast for Dr. Gosnell to contact the NVHA clinic in their area, notify their respective Village government chief Administrate as well as to self isolate.

Dr. Gosnell's memorial period took place between August 21st and 25th, while the advisory in place is extended to the period of August 17-28.

For more notes on the work of MP Bachrach see our archive page here.

 

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We Welcome September, even if it is starting off the same as a very, very wet August

The Atmospheric River of Mid August, it was the
takeaway snapshot for the summer of 2020

The final data is in, and yes, August was as wet as you thought and the numbers were very fall like for a month that was supposed to deliver picnics, camping and BBQ's.

When it comes to the days of heat of the high part of summer, Prince Rupert just didn't have any . 

With August 1st's temperature of 20.4 the hottest of the month, with August ending with signs of fall on the horizon and temperatures of 13 to 14 degrees.

The month end chart from Environment Canada provides the full overview of our summer horribillus, marked by the weekend of August 14-15 when a stalled atmospheric river delivered volumes of rain in a short 48 hour period.

127.3 mm of rain as a matter of fact, almost one third of the entire month's total rainfall of 419 mm.

For days of August which you may remember fondly we offer up August 12th, the only day of the last month which did not have any recorded precipitation over a 24 hour period.


The impact of the massive amount of rainfall of August is still being felt for Prince Rupert residents, who currently remain under a Water Advisory tied into that rain event of mid month. 

With Northern Health continuing to advise some residents to Boil their Water depending on their personal risk requirements.

For those looking for a little relief from the overcast skies and falling rain, Environment Canada's forecast suggests that the start of September is not providing for much incentive of a short term change; though the weekend, the last long weekend and the unofficial end of what is normally summer could very well provide some sunshine and warmth.

Those looking for a hint of even more optimism for a few sunny days in a row, may enjoy what the Weather Network has to offer! 

As they make a bold prediction of a fourteen day forecast of mostly sunny skies lasting through to the 16th


Something to remind us all what a summer might have looked like and a few last opportunities to spend some time hovering over the BBQ without need of rain gear.

Update: On Tuesday, the Weather Network made it official and once again spread word of Prince Rupert's penchant for precipitation, with a feature that outlined how from June to August, the city received 799 mm of rain, more than 250% more rainfall than normal.

A statistical achievement to give residents bragging rights ... and securing our fate as one of Canada's rainiest locales, if not the champion outright!  



More notes on past weather themes can be explored here.


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