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Leave the coal in the ground where it belongs

The only reason to risk building a coal port or a coal mine would be economic benefit.

Dear editor,

So what am I not understanding about the re-submission of the Raven Coal Mine Environmental Impact Study?

The only reason to risk building a coal port in Port Alberni or a coal mine a mere five kilometres upstream from Baynes Sound would be economic benefit.

Current and projected market conditions, however, such as plunge in global coal demand and prices, 1,000 miner layoffs and coal mine closures in B.C., (Quinsam Coal Mine, located immediately to the north of the proposed Raven coal mine site, has laid off half of its 144 workforce) and bleak market forecasts indicate now is not the time to invest in building a new coal mine or coal port.

Without evidence of economic benefits or likelihood of a reversal of current market conditions, I have to ask why Compliance Energy has not altered its 2009 claims that once in operation the mine will contribute $1.1 billion to the local community and 300 jobs?

And why has Premier Clark not altered her promise to expand existing coal mines and develop more mines and coal ports as part of her jobs program? But my main question, is why hasn’t the Environmental Assessment Office turned down the Raven Coal Mine Environmental Impact Study on the basis of failure to provide credible economic projections?

 

 

Sharon Small

Denman Island