Quick Peaks: February 25, 2015

BC Hydro replaces poles

Powell River residents will see BC Hydro crews along residential streets over the next few months.

In a bid to replace 12,000 poles throughout the province, BC Hydro announced recently it will be replacing power poles in Powell River as part of its maintenance program. Replacement of the utility poles will improve safety and reliability of the electrical system, according to the Crown corporation.

Adverse weather, insects and wildlife lead to the deterioration of the wooden poles. Some of the poles have been in service for more than 40 years and have a lifespan of between 40 to 50 years.

Province-wide, there are 900,000 wooden poles maintained by BC Hydro.

To facilitate replacement, BC Hydro or its contractors will need to disconnect power. The corporation states it will take care to “avoid unnecessary impacts to customers. However, if these maintenance outages need to be scheduled for safety reasons, BC Hydro or its contractors will let customers know in-person, or by mail or phone.”

For more information readers can visit BC Hydro’s website. Readers can see a visual schematic of how and why poles are replaced online.

Iris Housing, a group which advocates for affordable safe housing for adults living with mental illness, has submitted its proposal to BC Housing to build 12 units on Ontario Street. However, contrary to information in the Peak February 11, financing has yet to be confirmed.