Some Williams Lakers, including local politicians, see no problem with Atlantic Power’s proposal to burn railroad ties. Others do. There are health concerns. Air quality in the valley is bad enough, they say, adding more pollutants could be disastrous, especially for those with respiratory problems.
I’ve heard mega arguments pro and con. There is no guarantee the ties can always be burned safely, so in my opinion, that plan isn’t in the community’s best interest. On the other hand, it would be ridiculous if the power plant had to close for lack of fuel. Losing jobs and taxes is one thing, but some of us have visions of greenhouses dancing in our heads, and there is a move afoot to operate greenhouses with the excess heat from the plant. So what to do?
Well, what about all that wood waste left in the bush from logging operations? Sure there are problems, mostly financial, with connecting the debris to the power plant, but there are more than few good reasons to do it. And, as Premier Christy Clark said recently “ just because it’s hard doesn’t mean you give up. It doesn’t mean you should be a quitter. ‘’
I have a dream. Local groups (business, enviros, health workers, etc.) get together with Atlantic Power, the licencees and politicians, and find a way to make it work. Diverse local groups have worked together before. Remember CORE? Many bruises and bumps between opposing parties along the way, but in the end they delivered the Cariboo Chilcotin Land Use Plan.
Surely the licencees and Atlantic Power would co-operate if the price was right. The provincial and federal governments spend billions of dollars subsidizing foreign fossil fuel giants with grants and tax breaks, they could scare up some cash for this project. Ms. Clark says she believes in people who want to find a way to get things done, “that’s how you create jobs, that’s how you build a future for your kids, even sometimes when it’s really hard.” Sounds like she’d co-operate.
So who will get the ball rolling?
Diana French is a freelance columnist for the Tribune. She is a former Tribune editor, retired teacher, historian, and book author.