PGAQ #16 (FP) by Vic Steblin, Feb 27, 2008

2570 Laurier Crescent, Prince George, BC, 250-564-1123

We listen to various ideas presented by influential politicians and business leaders about future jobs and the economy. Ideas like generating heat and electricity by burning wood waste often seem reasonable. Consider the finished 130 million co-generation project at PG Pulp, the proposed project to burn beetle kill wood at Northwood for electricity, or the Community Energy System proposed for downtown Prince George.

Powerful people get provincial environment assessments waived and projects just go ahead. Every reasonable rule or procedure gets bypassed by influential people who then do not have to suffer any health consequences.

The solution to this violation of ethics could be simple and obvious. People should practice what they preach and live locally. Otherwise their opinions should be treated with scepticism and scorn. Do not believe promises from those who are not prepared to live near their projects.

The leaders of Canfor note the energy opportunity for burning wood waste and obviously want to do it right at the existing mills. Then they should live near those mills in their own pollution! The politicians who suggested this use of biomass should also live right next door!