News Leader News for November 6, 2006
200 ATTEND COAL PLANT INFORMATION MEETING
A total of two hundred residents filled the former Riverside School gymnasium last Wednesday night to find out more about the negative affects of the coal-fired power plant proposed by Compliance Energy.
The group calling itself SOS Save the Okanagan/Similkameen hosted the meeting and presented three guest speakers. Matt Horne of the Pembina Institute reviewed the power project and examined a number of technological options.
The proposed power plant is designed to produce power using the circulating fluidized bed combustion system.
"This method is suited for low-grade coal and or waste material' Horne explained.
Could it be worse? According to Horne, if Compliance just meets the Provincial Guidelines, the answer is no and stated the pulverized coal combustion system is "typically a more polluting technology."
Could it be better?
"The short answer is yes."
Horne says better methods in producing energy would include adding more effective controls, increasing the boiler pressure, burning in oxygen (known as oxyfuel) or using the gasification method (IGCC Integrated Gasification Combined Cycle) which first converts the coal into a synthetic gas that is then burned like natural gas to create electricity.
Horne then discussed greenhouse gas emissions stating burning coal emits the most greenhouse gas emissions of any electricity generation option. He says ways to correct that would include reducing the emission intensity, or capturing the emissions either before or after combustion.
He finished his presentation with the comment, "If we are going to be relying on coal-fired generation in BC, we have the option to choose technologies that are more effective at reducing local air emissions."
Casey Brennan of Wildsight discussed the health effects and community impacts of burning coal for energy.
He began with a review of the BC government's policy promoting coal-fired thermal electricity generation and moved on to cover the many health implications.
"The health impact for mercury is clear," he said.
"There is no safe level of mercury. One gram of mercury can poison an entire water body and kilograms of mercury will be released into the air in this valley while children and pregnant women are particularly at risk of brain damage."
He also pointed to health impacts of lead and other heavy metals, which have been linked to kidney damage and behavioural problems. He explained that particulate matter and acid aerosols in the air have been linked to acid rain and respiratory problems including asthma.
Brennan also said ground level ozone combined with other pollutants have created smog.
What can be done?
"The community needs to be involved in the government process." He says residents have to make a lot of noise in any way possible, using any means possible and do it now.
Karen Campbell from the Pembina Institute discussed coal-fired power in the Similkameen Valley and "What else do you need to know?"
"In 2002 the BC Government came up with an energy plan," she said which set the stage for coal-fired power production in the province. In BC Hydro's Call for Power they awarded 29 hydro, 3 wind, 2 biomass, 2 waste heat and 2 coal projects.
She said wind projects; run-of-river hydro, efficiency and conservation measures could possibly replace the need for more power. Campbell stated the Compliance project is "not state of the art technology" and suggested residents "think critically and ask hard questions."
She then discussed the Environmental Assessment Process.
"Will the environmental assessment protect the public? Answer: It totally depends and I wouldn't count on it."
She pointed out that Compliance still requires an air permit and would likely receive water and sewer permits through a transfer from the former mine site owner (Similco Mines).
As for emissions Campbell stated, "The BC emission guidelines are just that guidelines."
She finished her presentation with this warning: "Don't depend on the government. It's up to you to protect your community."
The floor opened for questions and when Yale-Lillooet MLA Harry Lali got his turn he responded to most of the question that had already been asked and strongly urged residents to form a committee with tangible numbers to stand up and make noise.
"If you don't get active, this project will come down your throat faster than you can cough."
Lali was challenged by one member of the audience to start the group himself and to provide guidance and direction instead of leaving it up to the community to figure it out.
Lali accepted the challenge and reminded everyone of the meeting he has scheduled for later this week, also at Riverside Centre.
"I'll back you up 100 percent," he said.
PUBLIC SEES TOWN SQUARE CONCEPTS
What do local residents want to happen at our town square?Last Thursday, Urban Systems offered three concepts of a town square for public viewing. Each concept preserved the sanctity of the cenotaph, but presented different options for activities in the park setting, and different patterns of traffic flow.
The concepts were derived from an earlier stakeholders meeting in which Princeton residents expressed their ideas of what a town square should be.
The most heartening aspect of all of the concepts was the eradication of the notorious "slingshot" on Vermilion Avenue.
The new concepts straighten Vermilion Avenue at the junction with Bridge Street. Concept 1 called for one way traffic on Veterans Avenue with no way of accessing Vermilion Avenue. Concept 2 kept 2-way traffic on Veterans Avenue with an access to Vermilion Avenue, and Concept 3 called for blocking off Veterans Avenue.
There was a lot of discussion among members of the public regarding which concept they preferred.
Everyone had the opportunity to fill out a survey form and indicate the concept they preferred. The survey offered space to comment on things they liked, things they did not like, or things they insisted upon having.
Urban Systems will review all of the survey forms then design a concept to be presented to Town Council in December. The presentation will be at a public meeting. Watch the News Leader for the date.
LOCAL MAN HITS 100!
We met Frank Chase two years ago, on his 98th birthday.At the time plans were already in place to mark his 100th birthday, which occurred last week.
Chase is part of the pioneer family that the community near Salmon Arm is named after.
He moved to Copper Mountain in 1938 and worked in the mine, went to War, travelled and finally settled in Princeton.
Chase celebrated his amazing milestone with a steady flow of family and friends stopping in to visit in the home he still lives in on Fenchurch Avenue.
Although he requires some help around the house and yard, he is still actively involved in the day-to-day operation of his home.
Two years ago Chase told the News Leader he once played cards online with friends on the internet. He was doing this in his early 90's!
He continues to play cards and stays current on local, regional and global events with his television.
Chase is probably best known for his sense of humour.
Congratulations, Frank on your 100th birthday!
