BC Business
Out of power Good thing it wasn’t the big one. A December 2012 report prepared by PricewaterhouseCoopers found that BC Hydro isn’t ready to respond to an earthquake or other catastrophic event, which could lead to the widespread loss of electrical power for months. The audit, which the Tyee obtained via a freedom of information request, focused on disasters that included earthquakes, dam breaches, widespread floods or fire, but not windstorms. On a scale ranging from one (lowest) to five (highest), BC Hydro’s disaster readiness rated between one and two. As for the failure of its website, recently upgraded at a cost of $17.5 million ($15.5 million over budget), BC Hydro is looking for answers from service provider Telus. (via Province)
Fuelling growthVancouver’s Westport Innovations Inc., which develops and manufactures components for natural-gas and propane engines for heavy-duty vehicles, has agreed to merge with U.S.-based Fuel Systems Solutions Inc., which focuses on light- and medium-duty automotive products. “The complementary industry expertise provides a compelling rationale for the merger, as the combined company’s product development efforts will span passenger car to heavy-duty trucks to locomotives and marine applications to stationary power,” according to a company statement. The stock-for-stock merger will create a company with a combined revenue outlook ranging from $380 to $405 million for 2015.
Passing onJanet Holder, former executive vice-president of Enbridge’s Northern Gateway project, has died from leukemia. Joining Enbridge in 1992, in 2011 she moved from Toronto back to her native Prince George to head the project. She retired in December 2014 to spend more time with her family and on her health. (via Globe and Mail)