AUTHORIZATIONS allowing construction to begin on the Site C Clean Energy Project were issued on Tuesday by the Ministry of Forests, Lands and Natural Resource Operations.

Ministry statutory decision makers approved 24 authorizations, with conditions. Seven authorizations were issued under the Land Act, five under the Forest Act, eight under the Water Act and four under the Wildlife Act. As the project proceeds, additional authorizations under numerous statutes will be required for the life of the project.

As part of the decision-making process, each application for the construction phase was reviewed for its potential impacts on the environment and adverse impacts on treaty rights. Consultation with Treaty 8 First Nations began in August 2014 and concluded last month.

Site C will provide approximately 10,000 direct jobs during construction. The project will generate enough electricity to power about 450,000 homes per year – an 8% increase in supply to BC Hydro’s system in 2024.

Upon completion, Site C will provide a century of affordable, reliable and clean power that will keep rates low, support British Columbians’ quality of life and enable increased investment and a growing economy, according to the government.