Monday, October 25, 2010

Move Coal By Rail Only On Vancouver Island

Group Wants Coal Shipped By Rail ONLY

Compliance Energy Corporation is proposing to open a new coal mine by the end of 2012 near Fanny Bay south of Courtenay.  This mine would produce up to 1.5 million tonnes of coal a year, mainly for steel mills in Asia.  The company has pointed to Campbell River, Duke Point, Gold River and Port Alberni as potential shipping points but right now has focused on moving the coal to Port Alberni by truck for export.  No matter where it goes, this represents nearly 100 trucks a day, or 1 truck every 15 minutes, 24 hours a day, 365 days a year, for 20 years.

The ONLY RAIL! - No Rail No Coal petition is focused squarely on the transportation aspect of the proposal.  It states that due to environmental, safety, cost and maintenance concerns, the only viable transportation method would be to use the Island Rail line.  

Over 450 people have signed the petition so far.  Those opposed to the mine itself have signed it as a "backup plan" in case opposition fails and to avoid a worst case scenario if it does.  Those in favour of the coal mine have signed in order to support a more sustainable way to move product on the Island, and to support the investment in the rail line itself.  And all signers agree that it just makes a lot more sense to ship this stuff by rail.

Anyone interested in the petition can go to www.norailnocoal.ca where you can sign it, and also download it and gather signatures from friends.   We are also looking for volunteers in the Nanaimo area to host, go door to door or pass along the petition, but most of all, sign the petition and pass the link on to all your friends.  The Island Rail line needs our support, and we need to tell the coal company that their plans are ludicrous.    For more information contact Chris Alemany at 250-723-0889 or chris@norailnocoal.ca

allvoices

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