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West Kelowna, BC city council voted unanimously to formally oppose BC Hydro’s proposal to build an overhead transmission line as part of a project to add a second power source to the city, and urged the utility to install the line underground.
“We have been advocating since we were founded in 2007 for excess power. This is very important,” said West Kelowna Mayor Gord Milsom. “But we don’t want air ducts.”
The decision comes as concerns grow among residents, businesses and local helicopter operators about the potential impact of the transmission towers, which can be up to 100 feet high and pass through communities as BC Hydro considers various routes.
“There was a helicopter operation that said if that happened it would impact our airport, we would no longer be able to function,” said Coun. said Rick de Jong at the last board meeting on June 23.
The issue received new attention after a fast-moving wildfire in Kalamoir Regional Park last month, where a local helicopter company played a role in firefighting efforts.
“I was close to the Kalamoir Park fire, too close for comfort, and we watched helicopters coming in and out of Valhalla, Wildcat and Alpine,” said Justin Pasutto, a West Kelowna resident who opposes the airways.
City officials said they have heard from some helicopter operators who are concerned the proposed transmission line could disrupt their operations.
In a statement to Global News, Alpine Helicopters said it recently had “several constructive discussions with BC Hydro recently and they understand our concerns.”
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Opposition to the project extends beyond aviation. Many residents expressed concern that the air lines would have long-term impacts on the community.
Now, after months of debate, city council has officially stated its position by unanimously voting to send a letter to BC Hydro and the BC Utilities Commission.
“From our perspective, these transmission lines, if they’re above ground… the concern is that we’re going to have these lines in our community for generations to come,” Milsom said.
“It’s not an Okanagan way of life or a way of life to put a 100-foot line in our community.”
Milson said the intent of the letter was to make BC Hydro aware that it opposes the overhead transmission line option as well as urge them to pursue more expensive underground line alternatives.
Pasutto was one of the residents who praised the city government for listening to their concerns.
“This is not the city of West Kelowna that it was 17 years ago when this project was everyone’s focus,” Pasutto said. “They’re listening to this and they want this to be done right.”
BC Hydro says that burying transmission lines would cost about 10 times more than building them above ground.
In an email to Global News, the company added, “Underground construction is more complex, takes longer to complete, requires coordination with other buried utilities, and typically causes greater traffic disruption and ground disturbance during construction.
“Underground lines will also be more difficult to relocate to accommodate future construction, and power outages will take longer to find and repair.”
Some parties are so opposed to overhead lines, they would rather continue to rely on a single power source than accept overhead transmission lines.
“The scars this community will leave in the years to come are irreversible,” said city council member Garrett Millsap.
“I’m OK with installing a generator in my house if they don’t know how to run electrical wiring underground.”
© 2026 Global News, a division of Corus Entertainment Inc.
