By Bev R. Dam
Fringe News — Reporting From Slightly Above Sea Level
Site C Dam Officially Complete, Still Arguing With Itself About Whether It’s Good Or Evil
British Columbia’s Site C hydroelectric dam is now operational — meaning it can finally begin generating electricity and, more importantly, fresh arguments.
The project, first pitched as a clean-energy triumph, then condemned as an environmental misstep, then defended as essential infrastructure, then criticized for cost overruns, is now fully online and somehow still controversial.
Bev R. Dam has covered dams long enough to know: when a megaproject has survived this many press conferences, it has evolved beyond infrastructure.
It is now a personality.
The Price Tag That Identifies As Flexible
Originally approved with one cost estimate, Site C later matured into a significantly more ambitious financial experience.
Officials describe the updated price as “reflective of global conditions.”
Critics describe it as “reflective of optimism.”
Supporters insist the long-term economic benefits justify the cost.
Opponents insist the long-term cost justifies the criticism.
Bev insists the spreadsheet deserves its own museum exhibit.
Clean Energy, But Make It Complicated
For years, activists warned that flooding land for hydroelectric power carried serious ecological consequences.
Meanwhile, others argued hydro is one of the cleanest large-scale energy sources available.
The result?
A rare Canadian scenario in which both sides claim to be defending the planet — just from different angles.
Bev notes that when environmental policy debates require aerial drone footage, legal filings, and interpretive dance protests, nuance has left the chat.
The Green Paradox
Some critics opposed the dam because it wasn’t environmentally pure enough.
Others opposed it because it wasn’t economically pure enough.
Still others opposed it because it represented “industrial thinking.”
And yet — when electricity demand rises, everyone still expects the lights to come on.
Bev has long suspected Canadians want 100% renewable energy, zero environmental impact, and a stable utility bill — ideally delivered by a morally enlightened beaver.
The Spillway
Site C is built.
It produces power.
It also produces opinion.
Whether it will ultimately be remembered as visionary infrastructure or a monument to ambitious optimism remains to be seen.
In the meantime, Bev will continue monitoring the water levels — and the comment sections — where both remain surprisingly volatile.
Fringe News 
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