NDP MLA gets behind coal petition
By Gordon Hoekstra
Prince George Citizen
03-Mar-2006
Cariboo North NDP MLA Bob Simpson presented a petition to the B.C. legislature this week on behalf of 240 community members who are opposed to the development of a coal mine project in the Northern Interior.
Westhawk Development Corp. has an ambitious plan in northern and central B.C. to roll out a number of coal plants that would produce electricity and liquids like diesel in the next decade.
The petition said a coal mine and gasification plant, south of Quesnel, should not be built on farms, ranches and property in the long-established communities of Alexandria, Australian and Kersley.
"They would be detrimental to the water quality and quantity, air quality and, in general, our health and quality of life," said the petition.
The petition asks the B.C. Liberal government to revoke two coal licences and for the rejection of two more that are in the application stage.
As well as mining rights near Quesnel, Westhawk has mining rights at three other locations in northwest B.C.
The idea is to develop coal mines and gasification plants -- at a price tag of about $500 million to $800 million each -- at the properties.
The company remains in the exploration stage, but is planning drilling programs to pinpoint exactly what kind of proven coal reserves are on the different properties.
If the company decides to move ahead on any of the properties, it would then need to develop a mine plan, secure financing and seek environmental approval from the provincial and federal governments.
Simpson said he tabled the petition in the legislature because that's one of his duties as an MLA for the North Cariboo region.
But he said he's not necessarily in agreement with the petition.
Simpson says the company should be explaining to the farmers and ranchers in more detail exactly what the benefits and impacts of the project.
Simpson said he will be following up with a letter to Agriculture and Lands Minister Pat Bell and Energy and Mining Minister Richard Neufeld asking them to respond to the petitioners' concerns.
Hansard records the entire and extremely brief exchange in the leg. No preamble, no advocacy, no discussion. Seeds cast upon stone.
B. Simpson: I ask leave to present a petition.
Mr. Speaker: Go ahead, member.
B. Simpson: I present a petition on behalf of 240 members of my constituency. The petition reads:
[A coalmine and gasification plant should not be built on farms, ranches and property in the long-established communities of Alexandria, Australian and Kersley. They would be detrimental to water quality and quantity, air quality and, in general, our health and quality of life.]
The petition asks for the revoking of two coal licence tenures and for the rejection of two that are in application.
Debates of the Legislative Assembly
Wednesday, March 1, 2006, Afternoon Sitting
http://www.legis.gov.bc.ca/hansard/38th2nd/h60301p.htm#2588
The Westhawk proposal is one of a number of coal generation projects in BC. While it may appear in BC Hydro's F2006 Call for Power, it is not at this point sufficiently well advanced that it will survive an early cut in the call.
Westhawk Development Corp website
www.westhawkdevelopment.com/