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Alcan smelter emissions plan would harm environment

Terrace, B.C.'s reputation for clean air would be at risk

Dear Sir:

I am extremely concerned about Alcan’s recent application to almost double its sulphur dioxide emissions in connection with their modernization program.

This application is for an increase of sulphur dioxide emissions from 27 mg/d to 42 mg/d. Terrace was recently cited as one of the top 10 cities in the world for air quality and this is one of the reasons many of us who live here, choose to live here.

Alcan’s proposed sharp increase in sulphur dioxide emissions will eliminate this advantage and ruin our pristine environment. It will not only negatively affect the air we breathe and our health outcomes, but our environment more generally and our agricultural productivity, just as we recently undertook an agricultural area plan to promote the growth of agriculture in our area.

The world is already rampant with environmental externalities that negatively affect health outcomes and agricultural productivity, for which offending producers and consumers bear no pecuniary responsibility. The global environmental situation has become particularly precarious in recent years.

Environmental sustainability and the health and survival of our ecosystem and species can only be supported if our elected representatives are vigilant and insure that negative externalities are brought under control. Our elected representatives have the opportunity to do this by insuring that Alcan’s application for an increase in sulphur dioxide emissions is denied.

Alcan can undoubtedly maintain its sulphur dioxide emissions at the existing levels. Yes, it will not be free to do so. But Alcan and its customers should bear that cost, not the local residents, farmers, and ecosystem.

I therefore respectfully request that our elected representatives, the Ministers of Environment, Agriculture, and Health, their opposition critics, and our MLA represent us and insure that Alcan’s application to increase its sulphur dioxide emissions is denied.

If this application is going to be prevented, we in Terrace and Kitimat need to let our elected representatives know our concerns. If you would like to share your concerns with them, they can be reached at:

Honourable Norm Letnick, Minister of Agriculture, AGR.Minister@gov.bc.ca

Lana Popham, MLA, Critic for Agriculture, Lana.Popham.MLA@leg.bc.ca

Honourable Terry Lake, Minister of Environment, env.minister@gov.bc.ca

Rob Fleming, MLA, Critic for Environment, Rob.Fleming.MLA@leg.bc.ca

Honourable Margaret MacDiarmid, Minister of Health, hlth.minister@gov.bc.ca

Mike Farnworth, MLA, Critic for Health, Mike.Farnworth.MLA@leg.bc.ca

Robin Austin, MLA, Skeena robin.austin.mla@leg.bc.ca

cc. Ian Sharpe, Manager Environmental Protection Ministry of Environment Ian.Sharpe@gov.bc.ca

Lynda Gagné,

Terrace, B.C.