6 February 2010

Doctors Say No to Gasifier

Kamloops British Columbia - Saying a proposed gasifier for railway ties needs a "sober second look," the city's medical community is backing an appeal to B.C. Environmental Appeal Board asking the project be rejected.
 
The deadline to appeal the B.C. Environment Ministry's granting of a permit to Aboriginal Cogeneration Corp. expires Sunday. Ruth Madsen, a member of Save Kamloops, said she is in the midst of filing documentation.
 
And that report to the board will include a letter from Dr. Steve Rollheiser, president of medical staff at Royal Inland Hospital.
 
Rollheiser said in an interview a number of physicians were approached by Save Kamloops and asked to lend weight to opposition. An e-mail and paper ballot of medical staff this week came back with 85 responses, all of them saying city physicians should take a stand against the proposed plant.
 
"We've spoken in support of them applying to have the permit removed or rejected," Rollheiser said.
 
"Based on the information we've seen there appear to be holes in the approval process... There are things to our eye that didn't appear to be addressed."
 
The Ministry of Environment gave the company a permit last month allowing it to gasify creosote railway ties. Ministry officials said the plant must pass stringent tests, far tougher than any other emitter in Kamloops, or it cannot operate. Interior Health Authority scientists have no objection to the plant as long as it met testing requirements.
 
But opponents continue to distrust authorities and characterize the plant is a health hazard. They have gathered support from outside scientists and now the city's medical community. Both MLAs and MP Cathy McGregor said last week the company has not met obligations for environmental reports or community consultation.
 
Madsen said the appeal will contain 22 points and ask the board to overturn the permit. The veteran environmentalist is thrilled to receive support from the physicians.
 
"We have amazing expertise."
 
Rollheiser said factors city physicians feel were not adequately addressed by the Ministry include the steep geography of the valley, presence of other industrial polluters, and the fact it is designed as a commercial test facility.
 
"We don't want to go off half-cocked and say we're all going to die when it fires up," Rollheiser said. "But we want a sober second look."
 
Cam Fortems.