http://www.pentictonherald.ca/article_3045.php

Coal-fired power plant now looks doubtful

Opponents of a proposed coal-fired generating plant near Princeton
celebrated Tuesday as the provincial government's green-hued Throne
Speech put the brakes on coal plant emissions.

However, talks are underway which could see the project by Compliance
Energy Corp. of Vancouver, burn entirely wood waste instead.

The Throne Speech outlined a number of government initiatives aimed at
reducing greenhouse gas emissions by at least 33 per cent by 2020.
This includes the immediate requirement that 100 per cent of carbon
emissions from any coal-fired electricity project must be sequestered
- pumped deep underground -- rather than released into the atmosphere.

Energy Minister Richard Neufeld said the government has been
discussing the impact of the move with Compliance Energy for some
time.

The company's original 49 megawatt proposal for the former Similco
Mine site about 15 kilometres southwest of Princeton, had called for
burning 50 per cent coal and 50 per cent waste wood from regional
forestry operations

Neufeld said the company now says it intends to work with the
government to burn "100 per cent wood-biomass." Since trees utilize
carbon dioxide during their growing years, this would negate any
carbon released in the burning process.

"The other thing is those trees will lay on the forest floor and when
they rot they will actually put out carbon also," said Neufeld. "So
you might as well burn it and get some electricity."

Compliance Energy president John Tapics could not be reached for
comment Tuesday.

There had been growing opposition to a coal-fired energy plant at the
entrance to the Similkameen Valley, including Princeton Mayor Randy
McLean and Keremeos Mayor Walter Despot.

Brad Hope, spokesman for the group Save Our Similkameen, noted almost
3,000 letters opposing the plant had been sent to Victoria and his
organization gained support from across the province.

"I thought they were going to have to back off," he said. "It's
democracy. There was so much pressure from so many areas."

Hope said although he'd like to review the proposal further, the
prospect of a wood-burning plant is nearly as bad as the coal
alternative.

"Clearly what we have to do is get rid of the dirtiest sources of
power all over the planet and wood is not that bad," he said. "We
don't have the mercury. We still would want to be really careful with
the process, but it's probably better than having it burn in the
forest."

Hope wondered whether the cost of transporting wood to the Similco
site would be economical, but noted the current pine beetle
infestation in B.C. will make a huge amount of fuel available.

Last summer, B.C. Hydro announced it had entered contract talks with
two coal-fired projects, including Princeton and the Tumbler Ridge
area in northeastern B.C. Environmental assessments of those two
projects are continuing.

Okanagan-Westside MLA Rick Thorpe said in a conference call with local
media the decision makes coal-fired electrical generation an
environmentally friendly option.

"If you're going to have coal-fired electricity projects, there are
going to be no emissions," he said. "We are the first jurisdiction in
North America, if not the world, that has taken this position."

Thorpe, minister of small business and revenue, said the decision
shows the government is listening to its residents. He noted most
opponents are more concerned about the impact of emissions than
whether or not a plant burns coal.

Hope said the Similkameen, which includes several organic farms, can
now move forward in further billing itself as a "green" valley. He
added after hearing the Throne Speech, several members of the
coalition starting arriving at his home in Princeton to celebrate the
announcement.

"This is just wonderful news," Hope said. "This is the best party I've
ever had."