Victoria came close to getting its power from a nuclear plant, promoted vigorously by B.C. Hydro president Gordon Shrum between 1968 and 1970. At that time, electrical energy was in tight supply on Vancouver Island, as population and economic development was sucking up every available electron. Even though B.C. premier W.A.C. Bennett opposed a nuclear plant option, Shrum was able to keep it on the table by bringing outsiders to bang the drum on behalf of a nuclear plant.
As things turned out, Victoria didn’t get the nuclear plant, but shortly after, Sooke’s Jordan River hydro dam was repowered from 26 MW up to 175 MW, and this now-century-old 1911 dam is still a very useful part of the B.C. Hydro electricity grid.
John Newcomb
Saanich
