Editor:
I agree with Reg Norberg on one thing in his Dec 28 letter to the Tribune.
Williams Lake can’t afford unnecessary sawmill cutbacks.
That’s why I think Mr. Norberg and his colleagues should support the Rail Ties Be Wise campaign to reject the B.C. government permit allowing the burning of 50 per cent rail ties in Atlantic Power Corporation’s Williams Lake Energy Plant.
According to lumber industry leaders, forcing the energy plant to continue burning clean residual woodfibre over toxic rail ties could contribute to the survival of one more sawmill in Williams Lake than might otherwise be the case.
They also say processing and hauling clean biofuel to the energy plant will create 50 to 60 forestry jobs.
According to Atlantic Power Corporation’s own calculations, shredding and burning rail ties will create two to three jobs at the energy plant at the possible cost of one sawmill and 50 to 60 forestry jobs.
I disagree with Reg Norberg’s other point of beating the drum to reactivate the Prosperity Mine project.
Thanks to the Supreme Court of Canada decision of June 26, 2014, this project must have a buy-in by the Xeni Gwet’in and Tsilhqot’in First Nation.
I don’t see that happening.
Sage Birchwater
Williams Lake