I recently asked the provincial government four questions about BC’s Coal Policies. Instead of answering the first three, their spokesperson replied, “I suggest you direct these questions to Port Metro Vancouver.” Only most of these questions were connected to the provincial Ministry of Energy and Mines decision to grant the Lafarge Canada facility on Texada Island a permit amendment so that it can handle up to 8 million tonnes of US thermal coal every year.
Port Metro Vancouver will not make a final decision about the Surrey Fraser Docks’ application to build a Direct Transfer Facility until June. According to Tim Blair, Senior Planner of Port Metro Vancouver, they are waiting for Surrey Fraser Docks to submit a health assessment. One has to wonder if it is not a foregone conclusion. Blair said that SNC Lavelin, the same company that prepared the proposed coal facility’s Environmental Impact Statement, was retained for the health assessment.
In their original report, SNC Lavelin stated the proposed terminal would “not likely cause significant adverse effects to the environment or human health.”
