B.C. wildlife group concerned about risk to rainbow trout from wind farm project [Video]

A B.C. wildlife non-profit is concerned new government exemptions on wind projects from environmental review processes could favour speed over the protection of rainbow trout as plans ramp up for a new wind farm in the Interior.

B.C. Hydro recently awarded a contract to Westbank First Nation and Innergex Renewable Energy for the K2 Wind project in the Pennask Mountain area, about 40 kilometres west of Kelowna.

The B.C. government plans to exempt wind projects from certain environmental assessment processes to make it faster to build renewable energy projects.

But the B.C. Wildlife Federation is worried that, without a standard process, the government might not put a “proper microscope” on the project.

“When you’re trying to do things fast, you don’t always get them right,” said Jesse Zeman, executive director of the non-profit.

LISTEN | Zeman talks environmental assessments

Jesse Zeman of the BC Wildlife Federation says the K2 Wind Energy Project could threaten rainbow trout habitat. 

Zeman said the project is planned in …