User:Heatheralyse/sandbox

Section 1 History

goal: 1.1 and 1.2 live by Sunday March 18

note: please comment/edit extensively! I am not sure whether in section 1.2 I should emphasize the how the policy came about less and put more information on the role the policy played in the formation of BC Hydro, or leave it as is. What do you all think?

1.1 WAC Bennett and high modernism

W.A.C. Bennett was the Premier of British Columbia from 1952 to 1972. (Mitchell 422) Bennett was committed to the large-scale, state directed development of British Columbia. (Mitchell 255, Loo 162) As part of this commitment Bennett promoted resource development, which had been British Columbia’s traditional and natural strength. (Mitchell 247) Large hydroelectric projects, such as the W.A.C. Bennett dam, were part of the resource development that Bennett was advocating for. In Bennett’s opinion, harnessing nature would make British Columbia wealthy and support the emergence of an industrial economy as well as a society that was, “connected, institutionally anchored, urban, wealthy, and domestic.” (Loo 161) or in other words: modern.

PROPOSED EDITS: in the above section you may want to cut out one of the times you use the term "resource development", it seems slightly repetitive. Maybe also change "In Bennett's opinion" to "In his opinion". Lastly the phrase "or in other words: modern" is slightly loaded, since definitions/connotations of modern are not homogenous. You may want to clarify what you mean to differentiate it from our everyday and slightly vague definition of modern. Perhaps I'm being too picky though. --Biredale (talk) 18:40, 19 March 2012 (UTC)

Bennett’s convictions and therefore the policies of his government concerning hydroelectric development have been regarded as a manifestation of the ideology high modernity, also know as high modernism. (Loo 162) Along with the benefits that high modernist development could bring, there were also consequences. High modernism, along with administrative ordering of nature and society, authoritarian state, and a prostate civil society that would be unable to resist high modernist plans, can be a recipe for disaster. (Scott 5) It is debatable whether or not all of these elements were present in British Columbia at the time, but regardless, the development of the Peace River lead to environmental changes that caused a minority of people to live in isolation, dependence, alienation, and illness. (Loo 905) On the other hand, the hydroelectric projects realized by Bennett's Two Rivers policy created a large supply of less expensive energy in British Columbia, which provided growth in industries and therefore employment. (Stanley 252)

PROPOSED EDITS: Looks good, maybe just clarify whom you are mean when you state " a minority of people..." by talking in more defined terms when you mention "isolation, dependence, alianation, and illness". Also you will want to change "the development of the peace river lead [sic] to environmental changes" to led. --Biredale (talk) 18:40, 19 March 2012 (UTC)

1.2 Two Rivers policy

W.A.C. Bennett’s Two Rivers policy aimed to develop the hydroelectric potential of both the Peace and Columbia River simultaneously. The policy stemmed from Bennett’s desire to increase the province of British Columbia’s control over resource development. (Loo 164) In 1945 Bennett and the American company Kaiser Aluminum and Chemical Corporation of the United States agreed that in return for a fifty-year water license, the Kaiser Corporation would construct a large storage dam on the upper Columbia River. (Loo 164) Not only would they pay for the construction, they would also return 20% of the electricity generated to British Columbia and pay the provincial taxes as well as water license fees. (Mitchell 285) Much to Bennett’s dismay, the federal government of Canada dissolved the deal by asserting its control over international waterways and took over negotiations with the United States. (Loo 163)

In response, Bennett turned his attention towards developing the Peace River’s hydroelectric potential (Stanley 8). Bennett hoped that the economic independence British Columbia would gain by developing the Peace River would provide the leverage necessary for the federal government of Canada to allow British Columbia to sell the downstream benefit of the Columbia River to the Americans. (Loo 164) The Two Rivers policy experienced opposition from people who thought that if the Columbia were developed, the electricity generated should be for Canada’s use. (Loo 182)

PROPOSED EDIT: I might be wrong but shouldn't it be "that if the Columbia WAS developed" not WERE? --Biredale (talk) 18:40, 19 March 2012 (UTC)

The Two Rivers policy successfully lead to the development of the WAC Bennett dam on the Peace River and the Keenleyside Dam on the Columbia River. In 1964 the policy was realized with the ratification of the Columbia River Treaty (Stanley 12). Because of the Two River policy, Bennett was successful in pressuring the federal government of Canada to allow British Columbia to sell the downstream benefit to the Americans for thirty year for US$275 million. (Loo 164) The nationalization of BC Electric, which became BC Hydro, can also be attributed to the policy. (Stanley 6)

PROPOSED EDIT: change thirty year to thirty years, Good section overall! --Biredale (talk) 18:40, 19 March 2012 (UTC)

aprx. word count: 550