If one thing can be said for the blitz of proposed Independent Power Projects (IPP) hitting the Squamish area, it's that it has united a vast number of individuals, interest groups and local governments rarely found pulling in the same direction.The District of Squamish, Western Canada Wilderness Committee, the B.C. Federation of Labour, the Council of Canadians, Canadian Office and Profession Employees union and B.C. Citizens for Public Power are just a few of the groups that have stood up in opposition to the proposed Pitt River IPP.The groups are concerned about the development of hundreds of private power projects on B.C. rivers. A fiery group of people rallied against the project during a recent open house in Squamish. A few days later, this voice grew even stronger when about 500 people turned out to an open house in Pitt Meadows, forcing fire marshals to shut it down.The public seems to have clearly stated it is not interested in trading green space for green power. But each time this statement is expressed on paper or in an open house, an unnerving question looms overhead. Do these words carry any weight?Since local governments lost control over IPP approvals in 2006, putting their foot down has become an empty gesture. The province dismissed the Squamish Lillooet Regional District's objection to an IPP on the Ashlu River, what would make the proposed Pitt River project any different?Even council members have admitted they aren't confident their decisions bear any consequence.On Feb. 25, Coun. Raj Kahlon wrote B.C. Environment Minister Barry Penner asking for clarification about the value of input from the District of Squamish. "It may not have any effect in approvals," he admitted.If hearing out public input is merely a formality, perhaps the province could save everyone some time by letting us know in advance. Leading individuals through a mock exercise in democracy makes them less likely to engage in any community process down the road.What would be even more ironic is if the community's interest in learning more about the proposed resort Garibaldi at Squamish ended up being futile since maps of each project hint that power lines from the Pitt River Project could interfere with the resort's plans.With all these competing interest for the land north of Alice Lake, community members may feel like they're stuck choosing between the lesser of two evils. But don't let the decision weigh you down - your opinion may be falling on deaf ears anyway.
