UPDATE: Minister Newfeld retracts pre-election promise! Press here to see the copy of his official letters.

“Tsawwassen Residents Against Higher Voltage Overhead Lines” (TRAHVOL) is a grass roots, community based organization of responsible Tsawwassen citizens formed in early December, 2004 to intervene in and oppose the present BCTC project proposal for the “Vancouver Island Transmission Reinforcement Project” (VITR). 

We acknowledge the obligations of BCTC and BC Hydro to provide cost effective and reliable power to all residential and business customers in BC and are not opposed to BCTC initiating a project to meet the needs of Vancouver Island.

We oppose the reuse of the existing aerial right of way established in 1955 for this new and vastly increased transmission line. And, the continued use of the current transmission lines.

We believe that BCTC has to recognize that meeting the concerns of the residents of BC is a “cost of doing business” that any and all corporations have a responsibility to address by following sound business practices and regulations.

We do not believe that BCTC can simply plan projects without due regard to the lives, health, enjoyment, aspirations and property of Tsawwassen and Ladner residents.

We believe that BCTC has a responsibility to do everything in their power to minimize and mitigate the effects of their business proposals on Tsawwassen and Ladner residents. 

We are prepared to consult  with BCTC with regard to alternate proposals for the new transmission line that take into account the needs of BCTC for a robust and reasonably economical design, the interests of the impacted communities, and the health and welfare of Tsawwassen residents for more than 60 years into the future.

We sincerely believe that a satsifactory alternative can be negotiated through a process of meaningful dialogue with BCTC