Hon. Michelle Mungall, Minister of Energy, Mines, and Petroleum Resources: It’s time to resolve to use “new technologies” utilizing B.C.’s natural resources and God-given assets: geothermal, tidal and ocean wind power, co- generation burning wood waste and garbage! All of these have been proven effective in Iceland, Scandinavia, China, Germany, Netherlands, etc.
Why are we continuing with antiquated, unnecessary technologies, and as you stated yourself, Michelle, “1950’s dams, like Site C!”, especially considering our past experience with dams and the environmental damage from flooding in the West Kootenays, and destroying fisheries, farms, Indigenous rights?!
Why are we still developing new fossil fuel industries and infrastructure: the Kinder Morgan pipeline, Burnaby oil tanker terminal, etc. that we know are killing us with carbon, toxic chemicals, and water and air pollution?
You have the power to change that, and the NDP/Green coalition are abandoning promises to those who trusted them to apply principles and “common sense” to decisions! Instead, it’s still only “$ and cents.”
B.C. needs to be an innovative leader, and plan for modern solutions with the Climate Change realities we have already experienced: wildfires, flooding then water shortages, and wilder storms. Global warming and drought requires preserving and planning for increased global agriculture, land and water needs.
We have abundant tidal and ocean wind, geo-thermal, and cogen opportunities in B.C. Many jobs could be created for displaced oil field workers, by retrofitting orphan oil and gas wells to geo-thermal power, as well as decommissioning and clean-up of expired wells.
All of the wood waste, unsalvagable bug-killed trees, and fire protection breaks and wood debris cleanup should not be slash-burned but instead used as fuel for co-generation power. Garbage can also be burnt for power. International technology and models are available to imitate and implement these effective environmental solutions, for a green and healthy future!
Marion Bergevin
Nelson