Dear editor,
The issue of moving Raven Coal to and through Port Alberni onto ships bound for overseas market is being raised again.
We have the resource and can market it to power plants and factories in the Orient.
Are we going to accommodate economic wealth development for the greater good or do we remain subject to the minority pressure spreading fear of the negative difficulties of the proposed coal movement?
We need real dollars from the resource economy. We need good-paying jobs either trained or starter positions for our youth. Continually being negative to development stifles activity and community life.
Road safety comes from good drivers and not from irresponsible timed travellers speeding over the highways. Traffic congestion can be mitigated by considerate truckers, patient drivers, more pullouts and courtesy to drive the same distance. One crass accident and everyone is stopped.
Burning coal in the Orient is not for us to stop. Trees and plants are carbon sinks and smoke stack scrubber technology is improving.
Any concern for coal dust can be mitigated. Shipping accidents are a “what-if” strategy of fear to leverage support against any coal movement.
Fatal accidents on our roads are a reality. If living had guarantees, then everyone would have that in writing.
Natural disasters cannot be stopped nor adequately planned for with billions of dollars. We survive and react to the losses together.
The environment goes on and we can help it where we are able and willing to do so. However, being crippled to our knees in fear of developing our natural resource wealth would leave us with no equity to build the green economy.
Move the coal properly by road because rebuilding the Island Railroad seems too expensive.
Bruce E. Hornidge,
Port Alberni