-2- extra height on the wires over the park to permit natural tree growth. Further, there will be only one tower in the park and the access to the right of way has been designed to facilitate the development of paths and trails. This work done and the time spent over a number of years indicates B. C. Hydro's desire to seek the advice of Municipalities and to cooperate as far as possible in solving mutual problems. Today the matter boils down to two inescapable facts. Additional power will be required by customers in Richmond and other Greater Vancouver municipalities by the latter part of 1973. It is essential that construction of the powerline start without delay. B. C. Hydro's rates for electricity are based on overhead transmission. If a broad program of , undergrounding powerlines were adopted, costs would escalate enormously and a substantial iricrease in electric rates would be inevitable. . The whole matter of undergrounding circuits is one of considerable concern and is demonstrated by B. C. Hydro's participation with the Union of B. C. Municipalities in a Joint Committee on Underground Wiring. The Committee's report which was presented to the U.B.C.M. Convention last September demonstrates the financ#l impact of undergrounding distribution lines only without considering the more costly high voltage transmission. ; Should your Council wish to have more details on this or any other matter concerning the future supply of electricity, please let us i:now. Yours sincerely, SSS et ee c. W. Nash, Manager, Corporate Services Division. CWN:af. cc: The Honourable Ray Williston Corporation of the Township of Richmond ti q ' to 4 e ra