Not every bad thing happening in our B.C. economy right now is caused by Donald Trump. Williams Lake’s number one corporate taxpayer is about to disappear – all because David Eby’s NDP won’t act.
The future of the Atlantic Power biomass plant in Williams Lake is hanging by a thread. If BC Hydro does not increase the rate they pay for the energy generated by the plant, it will be forced to shut down. And the consequences of this closure will be devastating for yet another resource-based community in our province.
The Atlantic Power plant is more than just an energy provider—it’s a cornerstone of the local economy. As the largest business taxpayer in Williams Lake, the plant contributes approximately $1.8 million annually in taxes and utilities. But its impact goes beyond finances. The plant provides more than 150 local jobs, supporting families and keeping the community strong. It also plays a key role in B.C.’s renewable energy sector, producing approximately 66 megawatts of electricity annually—enough to power around 50,000 homes.
The plant burns wood waste to produce electricity, solving an environmental issue by turning what would have been burned in polluting beehive burners instead into clean, renewable energy. In doing so, it provides a solution to an environmental problem, contributing to B.C.’s green energy goals.
If the plant shuts down, Williams Lake will not only lose jobs but also this vital source of renewable energy. We cannot afford to let this happen. The Eby government must act swiftly to ensure that a new energy purchase agreement is reached with BC Hydro so that the plant can continue its operations.
The loss of the Atlantic Power plant would be a blow not just to Williams Lake, but to B.C.’s renewable energy future. It would also reflect another failure by both provincial and federal governments to support and protect B.C.’s natural resource sector—an area already struggling due to years of mismanagement and inaction. The consequences of letting this plant close would be far-reaching, affecting families, the local economy, and our environmental goals.
Premier Eby must prioritize this issue and take immediate action. His government’s lack of support for our resource sector needs to change. The people of Williams Lake, the workers at Atlantic Power, and the future of our renewable energy sector are depending on it. We must not let this opportunity slip away.
Government must act now to ensure the Atlantic Power biomass plant continues to operate, providing clean energy, local jobs, and a sustainable future for our community.