2001 Triple Bottom Line Report - BC Hydro

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P C B M A N A G E M E N T Polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) are synthetic chemicals once commonly used as fluids in some electrical equipment. Canada banned the import and manufacture of PCBs in 1979 due to health and environmental concerns. Since then, BC Hydro has been phasing out and replacing equipment containing PCBs. We allocated $33 million in fiscal 2000/2001 to cover the cost of eliminating all our PCBs over the next ten years. We arranged destruction of 641 tonnes of High Level PCB waste last year and have eliminated about 80 per cent of our inventory since destruction facilities became available to BC Hydro in the early 1990s. BC Hydro manages both classes of PCBs common to electrical utilities: oil contaminated with traces of PCBs, known as Low Level PCB, with concentrations typically ranging from 50 parts per million (ppm) to 500 ppm; and contaminated soils and equipment such as capacitors and transformers filled with 40–100 per cent PCB, known as High Level PCB. As part of our regular upgrading program we continue to replace in-service equipment containing PCBs, and investigate PCB contamination in distribution transformers with PCB levels above government-established limits. 4000 3500 3000 2500 2000 1500 1000 E N V I R O N M E N T A L B O T T O M L I N E | 3 9 500 0 INVENTORY OF HIGH LEVEL PCBs (STORED AND IN SERVICE) AND HIGH LEVEL PCBs DESTROYED TONNES 92/93 93/94 94/95 95/96 96/97 Tonnes Destroyed Using technology owned by BC Hydro, we also operate a plant, Surrey Oil Operations in Surrey, B.C., that removes PCB contaminants from transformers. Output at the plant, which typically treats about 1.2 million litres of contaminated oils each year, fell to 150 000 litres last year due to shortages of key process chemicals, but is forecast to handle up to 2.5 million litres in fiscal 2001. We are also investigating offering the facility’s services to outside markets and are considering building a second plant to manage PCB solids. 97/98 Tonnes Remaining 98/99 99/00 Jan/00 * Note: High level PCB is any material with PCB concentrations greater than 1% (10,000 ppm)
W A R N I N G S A N D A C T I O N S In September 2000 the B.C. Ministry of Environment, Lands and Parks (MELP) delivered a warning letter to BC Hydro after approximately 10 litres of non-PCB oil spilled from a transformer that was being removed from our property by a demolition company. Some of the oil spilled onto the edge of a public road and a small quantity entered a nearby slough, resulting in a violation of the B.C. Waste Management Act and the federal Fisheries Act. Our internal investigation determined responsibility for the spill rested with the subcontractor, who removed the transformer before it was fully drained and plugged. We instituted new procedures to guard against a recurrence, including a formal sequence of steps for removing equipment for disposal and a requirement that work plans, spill prevention plans and environmental protection plans be part of all disposal tenders. In December 2000 we received a warning letter from MELP noting that, on four occasions, BC Hydro arranged transportation of special wastes using carriers not licensed for such activities, contrary to Special Waste Regulations. We investigated and found the violations occurred because our shippers allowed carrier trucks to leave BC Hydro sites without ensuring the carrier was licensed to transport special wastes. Corrective measures included advisories to all area managers about legal requirements for shipping dangerous goods. We also developed a checklist for all employees involved in shipping goods, and a training module for proper special-waste management. The Athabasca Chipewyan and Mikisew Cree First Nations in northeast Alberta have brought two separate actions before the Alberta Court of Queen’s Bench against BC Hydro, the Province of British Columbia and Canada. Both First Nations are seeking compensation for alleged impacts downstream of our operations on the Peace River. The allegations deal with the construction and regulation of the WAC Bennett and Peace Canyon Dams and related impacts on their Reserves and on their way of life. At the end of fiscal 2000/2001, we were awaiting a decision from the Alberta Court of Appeal regarding the jurisdiction of an Alberta court to hear an action against the Province of B.C. and BC Hydro. E N V I R O N M E N T A L B O T T O M L I N E | 4 0
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2001 Triple Bottom Line Report - BC Hydro

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