Editor:
Re: the Atlantic Power Corporation proposal to burn railway ties at its bio-solids plant in Williams Lake (an open letter to the Ministry of Environment).
I’m very concerned about the proposal by Atlantic Power Corporation to burn treated railway ties in the captive environment of the Williams Lake valley.
The Atlantic Power plant in Williams Lake is located in a bowl subject to frequent temperature inversions.
Atlantic Power claims any smoke emissions of toxic substances they want to burn will be below the provincial guidelines.
Can you please explain to me the science behind these provincial guidelines?
Can you assure me that furans and dioxins will not accumulate in the Williams Lake environment as a result of burning railway ties in the Atlantic Power generation facility?
I am very concerned that these toxic substances will turn Williams Lake into an undesirable, unhealthy place to live.
I am also very concerned about the ash residue.
Since 1993, ash from the energy plant burner has been stockpiled on the lacustrine bench above the Williams Lake River Valley. This seems like a very foolish place to store hazardous material prone to enter the Williams Lake River watershed and subsequently the Fraser River.
If permission is given to burn railway ties, it is my understanding that the ash will become more toxic than it currently might be.
According to reports produced by Atlantic Power, the furans and dioxins will increase in the ash exponentially. If the proposal to up to burn 50 per cent railway ties is granted by your ministry, the furans and dioxins will increase by 1,600 per cent.
I’m concerned about leeching into the water table, sloughing into the Williams Lake River Valley and subsequently erosion into the Fraser River, and wind erosion.
How will you protect Williams Lake citizens and the environment from contamination by wind blowing this poisonous ash around?
What safety measures will you demand Atlantic Power Corporation take to store this toxic ash in a safe and contained manner?
Sage Birchwater
Williams Lake