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Subject:  Concerns for the Future of Sandon's Historic Hydroelectric Station
 
I am writing as a constituent to ask for your immediate attention to the future of the Silversmith Power and Light Hydroelectric Generating Station in Sandon, British Columbia.

This facility is not only a valuable historic Canadian and International asset, operating for well over a century, but also a functioning, clean hydroelectric utility that continues to produce reliable, high quality electricity for the BC grid.  It was the first federally certified green hydroelectric plant in the west, and is the longest continuously operating hydroelectric station in Canada. 

The Silversmith plant was encouraged to connect to the grid and invest in the long-term, based on government policy direction at the time, including assurances of fair treatment and fair return for domestic power producers. Significant investments were made in good faith to preserve this facility, bring it up to modern standards, and keep it operating for the public benefit.

Today, however, the plant’s future is at risk due to electricity pricing inconsistencies and government policy decisions that disadvantage small, historic, family owned hydroelectric utilities, despite their proven reliability and environmental value. I am concerned that without timely attention and corrective action, this important Canadian asset will be lost — not because it failed, but because fairness and consistency have eroded.

I am writing to ask that you help ensure:
  • The Silversmith Power and Light Hydroelectric Station is preserved and encouraged to continue operating
  • Fair and transparent electricity pricing for this historic hydroelectric facility and all others
  • Policy decisions that recognize the public value of keeping clean, domestic, private hydroelectric generation operating in British Columbia
  • That historic, functioning infrastructure is not lost due to policy discrepancies or unfairness in wholesale rates

This is not a request for subsidies or special treatment. It is a request for fairness, transparency, and practical solutions that allow this hydroelectric plant, and others, to remain viable, self-supporting, operational and contributing to the BC grid.

Losing this facility would mean losing an irreplaceable piece of Canadian and International history, clean electricity capacity, and local resilience. Preserving it serves the public interest and aligns with long-term energy security and sustainability goals.

Thank you for your time and for hearing and acting for your constituents. I respectfully ask for your support in helping to protect and preserve the future of Silversmith Power and Light Hydroelectric Station, by ensuring that fairness is achieved.

Sincerely,

[Full Name]
[City / Province]
[Postal Code]