Carol James celebrates Earth Day by polluting it!

The NDP's Earth Day plans Justine Hunter, today at 11:06 AM   VANCOUVER - The New Democratic Party campaign will mark Earth Day today by tackling one of the most controversial environmental topics in this election: Run-of-the-river projects.

The NDP have pledged to impose a moratorium on new private power projects, accusing the Liberal government of "selling off" B.C.'s rivers and watersheds to private energy producers.

Carole James, the NDP leader, will take a charter flight for an aerial tour over an independent power project. She is then set to join a leading foe of run-of-the-river power, journalist Rafe Mair, at a campaign event.

The subject has created a rift within the environmental movement but it's also one that has proved difficult for the NDP.

Policy-wise, the party has been all over the map. The former NDP government cut water rental rates in 2000 to encourage the development of environmentally sustainable, small hydro projects by independent power producers.

Employment and Investment Minister Gordon Wilson said at the time: "Small hydro projects successfully balance environmental sustainability with economic growth."

More recently, NDP MLAs have backed individual projects. In March, 2006, Norm Macdonald wrote a letter to Remote Structures Inc., to offer the company his support for run-of-the-river projects in his riding of Columbia River-Revelstoke. "Adding clean, green power will contribute to the growth of the local economy," he wrote.

But "stopping the sale of B.C.'s rivers" is a key plank in the current NDP platform. It would place a moratorium on new private power projects until a full review of anticipated supply and demand is completed.

The Liberal government has touted the run-of-the-river projects as an important part of its climate change agenda, and it has attracted some high-profile support from environmental activists like Tzeporah Berman.

The New Democrats have also angered some native communities because many of the projects are being developed in partnership with Indian bands.

The leadership of the Klahoose First Nation on Vancouver Island have vowed to get out the vote on May 12 for the B.C. Liberals in what is expected to be a close fight for the riding of North Island.