A proposal to dam the Peace River, flooding 5,500 hectares (or about 21 square miles), has met resistance from the legal and scientific communities in Canada.
"The $8.8-billion [about $6.9 billion U.S. dollars] Site C dam has run into a wall of opposition from scientists and legal scholars," according to an article by Charlie Smith. So much so that more than 250 scientists and legal scholars signed a "statement of concern" in May regarding the regulatory review of the project.
Among the concerns listed in the statement: "this process did not accord with the commitments of both the provincial and federal governments to reconciliation with and legal obligations to First Nations, protection of the environment, and evidence-based decision-making with scientific integrity."
The argument in favor for the dam proposal is for creating a source of hydroelectric power capable of supplying 450,000 homes with a year's worth of electricity. The article includes more specific lodged by the statement of concern with regard to the review process for the proposed hydroelectric facility.
Read the full story: More than 250 Canadian scientists and professors sign letter objecting to Site C dam approval
N.Y.C. Looking at Deal for Canadian Hydroelectricity
The city is considering a contract to purchase hydroelectricity from Quebec and might also provide funding for the energy infrastructure.
Brazil Approves Controversial Dam
The Brazilian government has approved a new hydroelectric dam in the Amazon. Many locals and environmentalists are fuming.
CA officials have the power to fix the state’s riskiest dams. They’ve never used it
California’s 40 most hazardous dams would endanger up to 1.5 million people if they failed.
Planetizen Federal Action Tracker
A weekly monitor of how Trump’s orders and actions are impacting planners and planning in America.
California plans to bury El Niño’s downpour
If the state plays its cards right, it may be able to store a billion acre-feet of El Niño’s water in aquifers.
Chicago breaks ground on $3 billion megadevelopment
The new neighborhood, titled Foundry Park, will one day host 3,700 residences.
California High-Speed Rail Authority CEO resigns after $600,000 scandal
Under Ian Choudri, the authority used taxpayer dollars to fund first class flights and trips to nightclubs.
Want to study the Missouri River? Soon, you may need unanimous approval from 10 states
Legislation would require 10 governors’ permission to study or build projects moving water outside the basin.
Desperate measures: Advocates weigh draining Lake Powell to fill Colorado River
Draining the reservoir could reduce evaporation losses by a couple hundred thousand acre-feet.
FREE Course: Walkable City 1: Why Walkability?
After describing his path towards focusing on walkability as the essence of good planning, Jeff Speck marches through his five principal reasons for making more walkable places.
Reinventing Malls: Planning Alchemy—Turning Gray Fields Into Gold
The course focuses on the opportunities and imperatives that shape reinvention of mall sites.
City of Rosemead
Rutgers University, Edward J. Bloustein School of Planning and Public Policy
One Hundred Miles
Hunter College, City University of New York (CUNY)
The Architects Foundation
University of Cincinnati Online
City of Cambridge
Montrose County
The Pocatello Development Authority