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COMPLIANCE PRESENTS PROJECT TO SVPS
Compliance Energy Corporation President/CEO John Tapics attended the Similkameen Valley Planning Society meeting in Hedley on July 19th.
His updated slide show presentation reviewed the company itself and the progress being made on the proposed 56-megawatt wood waste/coal power project.
In addition to this project, the company is currently developing two deposits on Vancouver Island; operating the Basin Coal Mine near Blakeburn and exploring natural gas in coal royalty rights.
"There are 12-million tons of proven reserves which should be sufficient to fuel this plant," Tapics pointed out about the Basin Coal Mine.
The presentation reviewed the new BC Energy Plan, which encourages investment in energy development, "including wood, coal and other energy sources."
Tapics says BC Hydro is short of power and has issued an open call for an additional 2,800 gigawatt hours by November 2010.
The BC Hydro Supply/Demand Forecast, taken from the utility's 2006 integrated electricity plan, shows in 2005 demand increased greater than available resources.
In response to BC's Energy Plan, Compliance has proposed their 56 mW (originally 49 mW) wood waste power plant supplemented with coal, which Tapics explained, "would be designed to meet or be better than new regulatory emission standards."
The project would involve a $200-million capital investment, according to Sandwell Engineering and would be projected to produce $42-million in revenue (the plant and coal mine combined) and create new regional jobs and economic development.
"There has been a substantial amount of work done to date," Tapics explained and listed eight items including scoping (completed in 2003), a pre-feasibility study (2003), air quality modeling and stack evaluation (2004), wood sourcing study (2005, updated 2006), an interconnection study (2006), preliminary engineering study (2006), the signing of a memorandum of understanding with USIB (2006) and a BC Hydro Tender (2006).
Tapics described the Plant Conceptual Design and explained the change in the design to include a circulating fluidized bed boiler and where coal ash would be disposed and a range of fuel mixtures from 20/80 to 0/100% and the studies currently underway and a lot more technical information that seemed to confuse those present more than answer questions they had on the project.
The fact that Compliance has identified 270,000 oven dried tons of waste wood in the region or that 1,161,000 ODT's of waste wood produced in the Kamloops Forest District, which contains 22 mills, actually means 1,000,000 ODT's are currently usefully used may have been more information than the average person could have understood about the power plant project.
What the data didn't show was the answers to questions asked at the meeting.
Similkameen Valley EDO Michael McLaughlin said there were currently two businesses in Princeton using wood waste for the production of their products. He asked Tapics if jobs created at the proposed power plant would take away from the existing businesses and if discussions related to solutions had taken place with all parties.
"We haven't had those discussions yet," was the response.
Brian Murphy of the Environmental Assessment Office reviewed the role of his office and how the Compliance project fit into the process.
"Any energy project 50 mW or greater has to go through an environmental assessment," he explained and detailed the steps Compliance or any applicant with a similar energy project proposal has to follow to achieve the EA Certificate.
There are two stages with the Pre-Application Stage having no timeline and the Application Review Stage lasting 180 days.
So far in the first stage Compliance has established an advisory working group and a review draft Terms of Reference.
Keremeos Mayor Walter Despot questioned the need for such a facility.
"Why are we getting into something where other jurisdictions are getting out of them?"
Murphy didn't directly answer the question with his response, "Because in the BC Energy Plan coal is one of the energy sources."
Princeton Councillor Jim Manion asked, "If this meets all the standards and the people of the valley still don't want it, what happens then?"
Murphy explained public input would be welcomed, "We need to identify those concerns."
Area B Cawston Regional District Director, and SVPS Chair, George Hanson asked, "If the land is not rezoned. Will local government be respected and will the application die?"
Tapics said the project is really two parts. The Environmental Assessment Certification is one. Rezoning is the other.
Without both, he admitted the project could not proceed.
ARTS COUNCIL AGM MARKS GROWTH
Growth and expansion, with new ideas and plans were the theme of Princeton Community Arts Council at its annual general meeting at Riverside Wellness Centre on July 19. From the opening remarks by President Dawn Johnson, and through the year end reports from the ten member groups, change and progress were the highlights for most groups.The Arts Council has grown from seven to 10 member groups during the past two years.
The new groups are Performing Arts, Community Band and Potters' Guild.
The biggest change during the 2005-2006 year was the move from the Cultural Centre to Riverside. The Open House held in April was a major undertaking involving all of the groups, and proved to be an outstanding success. It will be done next year.
Nick Mills gave the financial report, showing the Arts Council is in good financial shape despite a number of expenses.
Councillor Ray Jarvis conducted the election of the new Board of Directors. Dawn Johnson was re-elected President, with Paul Huycke as Vice-President, Jon Bartlett as Secretary and Nick Mills returns as Treasurer. Directors are Mary Bedford, Sue Le Poidevin, Norma Kraetor, Del Hall and Rika Ruebsaat.
After the election, Councillor Jarvis complimented the Arts Council for growing into an active group during the three years he has represented Town Council. He received thanks for his continuing attendance at meetings and his ongoing interest in Arts Council activities.
The annual general meeting approved Del Hall as Arts Council representative to the official Community Plan committee of Town Council. She will liaise between Town Council and the Arts Council regarding the proposed Town Square plan, and she will encourage the development of an artistic vision for Princeton and seek funding for art in public places.
Reports from member groups show well over 100 local residents are involved as members of the groups under the Arts Council umbrella.
Members voted to hold Arts Council meetings monthly, with the exception of December and August. All meetings are open to the public and any members of the member groups.
The next meeting will be held September 20, but applications for grants by member groups must reach Nick Mills by September 1, along with year end activity and financial statements.
Member groups receive grants through a combination of a grant from Town Council and a matching grant from BC Arts Council.
WE TOSS SOME QUESTIONS AT LOZINSKI
In the news business we rarely come across a story that makes us sad and happy at the same time.The news of Sgt. (now S/Sgt.) Kurt Lozinski's promotion and move to Osoyoos made us feel both. Happy for him and his family on the wonderful career change they will experience and sad to lose such an involved and fun couple/family.
We had decided to fire some questions at Kurt before he left to find out a little more and have decided to reprint them complete with Lozinski's answers.
When did you start in Princeton? Can you give us a short review of your career prior to Princeton (where you were, for how long and doing what)?
I started in Princeton April 15th, 2003. 1991 to 1998 - Burnaby (3 years General duty / 2 1/2 years Bike Squad / 2 years GIS); 1998 to 2000 - Cape Dorset, Nunavut; 2000 - 2001 - Promoted to Corporal Deline, NWT; 2001 - 2003 - Promoted to Sgt, Fort McPherson, NWT; 2003 - 2006 - Princeton, BC; 2006 - to present - Promoted to S/Sgt. Osoyoos detachment and rural advisory NCO for Summerland, Keremeos and Princeton.
What is your new position, when did it start and what are the general duties?
I will be in charge (Detachment Commander - Oliver and Osoyoos). My other duties will include over seeing the running of Summerland, Keremeos and Princeton. These commanders will report directly to me.
Both you and your wife, Shelly, got very involved in the community when you were here. What part of that involvement will you miss the most?
The people in Princeton are second to none. We have been very fortunate to have surrounded ourselves with incredible people which we will miss very much. I really liked being able to get involved in all aspects of the community whether it was with local committees, community events or clubs. I really appreciate and respected how my wife Shelly got involved in the community and as such she made me a better person. Without her support and dedication we would not have been as successful.
Until your house sells, you'll be commuting back and forth. It also means you'll be looking to buy into the Osoyoos/Oliver market. Have you had time to look over the community and assess the character of the region? What differences stand out for you in comparing Osoyoos to Princeton?
The biggest difference I see is that Osoyoos is a tourist community which means a huge influx of people during the busy summer months. In my experience this often means a tremendous increase in the policing needs of the community. Often drugs and other property crimes increase during these months.
Osoyoos is also a larger community than Princeton which often means more demands on your time and energy. Being a border community also means different calls for services. I am hoping that with a bigger community more people will be involved within the community. In Princeton I found the same people always got involved and were committed to getting things done.
As 'supervisor' of the rural region, you'll still be 'in touch' on happenings in and around Princeton and while you were here you identified (with Town Council support) that drugs were the number one problem here. What is your priority in Osoyoos?
I believe that drugs and property crimes will continue to play a major role in my policing. I have a significant drug background and hopefully I will be able to mentor and tutor the members in Osoyoos and Oliver so that we can boast the same successes as I have enjoyed in Princeton.
Anything else you'd like to add?
I have often heard people complain about things within the community yet they refuse to get involved and always expected others to do it. If one does not get involved than one should not complain. I have lived in many, many different communities throughout Canada and Shelly and I can unequivocally say that Princeton has been the best community thus far. Princeton will always be dear to our hearts and it is with great sadness that we have to say good bye.
I would like to thank the Mayor and Council (past and present) for their continued support of the RCMP. Without their support this office would not have been as successful as we were. Our successes have always been looked at by the other detachments with wonder. I have been very blessed with working with such amazing members and I will miss them greatly. Not only have the members been incredible but so has my support staff including my two public servants, Gael and Peggy.
In addition Victim Services Rosemary Doughty. Rosemary has been an incredible asset to this detachment and her energy and commitment often goes unnoticed by everyone. I truly respect this person and commend her on her successes and true professionalism.
Princeton's Citizens On Patrol volunteer group is also second to none. I have often said this group of dedicated people have set the standard for every community to follow.
Jim Turner has done a tremendous job leading this group and without his dedication and commitment we would not have the success either. Jim is a true leader.
There are so many people in this community that have made our stay in Princeton so amazing. Our neighborhood is the best! Very supportive of each other and driven to improve our neighborhood by adding a park and constantly adding to it.
Mike Grgich is very giving of his time, knowledge, generosity and friendship. To our best friends the Musgroves, Thomas', Steins, McCutcheons, Mike and Launa, Edna, Raelene, everyone at Century 21, Ron, the girls at A Cut Above, Jodi, Sally and Quinton, everyone at our church.
Samantha and Nicholas want to say good bye to Katja, Jessica and Kassidy, Matthew, Seth and Jake and many, many other friends we will miss you all so very much. Knowing there are so many wonderful people to help out, watch each other's children, be supportive, make you laugh and just wave at each other in traffic is a warm and comforting feeling that will definitely be missed.
The support we received when our son Jackson was born was simply overwhelming and will never be forgotten. Shelly and I and our children Samantha and Nicholas, have all made a lot of special and lasting friendships that we'll continue to nurture wherever we go.
