NIMBY Time

Just got back from a community meeting, the first I've been able and willing to attend since we moved here (that doesn't concern my job, that is). There's a proposal for a coal mine just across from us on Vancouver Island. Needless to say, the people we roll with think this is a terrible idea, and the community hall was full for tonight's info session. We heard an overview of the company's plans, the area in question and potential impacts courtesy of a grassroots advocacy group called 'Coal Watch' -- sounds like the latest tough-guy reality show. It was a pretty clear summary, slanted unapologetically against the mine. Not so much a yes-or-no, as a hell-no-what-to-do-next meeting.

The info presented backed up what I'm sure everyone in the room was thinking -- let's do what we can with letters and feedback during the comment period, coming up soon. Other mines have been killed by putting enough heat on the government, so hopefully actions guided by this group will bring the same result.

Coal Watch started with a similar meeting in Fanny Bay, right across from Denman. They've since toured around a bunch of the towns in this area giving their presentation, so the snowball is rolling. This is a perfect example of thinking globally while acting locally.

There are essentially two kinds of coal -- one used to make electricity here at home, the other shipped overseas (China mostly) to make steel. The latter is the good stuff, fetching top dollar on the world market. This company (Compliance Coal) has apparently been talking optimistically, saying they've got a line on the better type here in the Comox Valley, but indications are they're just saying that to make a stronger economic case to the province. Tonight's presenter says recent test drilling shows quite the opposite -- that it's the crappy power plant fuel kind, though it could still be mined at a profit. So it would be no surprise for them to paint a pretty picture in these early stages, while seeking their licences.

Coal mining would surely have a poor effect on our natural surroundings, and would also pitch into the global carbon emission problem. Coal power plants should be phased out, everyone knows it including the government -- yet, it's an abundant resource that still employs many and brings big bucks into BC. So I'm not holding my breath. Alternative energy will have to take over one day, once all the corrupt dinosaurs die out of office I guess. The people I listen to and trust suggest nuclear is the only way we can keep up with present demand while weaning off coal -- but I have to think there's enough money and expertise out there to push alt energy to new heights. All it would take is a shift in priorities from profit to survival. How can our so-called leaders be so blind, selling out their kids and grandkids?

The trick in this case is going to be getting enough people to speak up, to trip up the approval process early. The speaker made a great point in saying it's early enough in the game with no environmental damage done, and no serious money yet invested -- so it's still very much open to our collective influence. It seems Coal Watch has the effort well under way -- we owe them big time for taking on the job. Since we're raising our child on well water here, no question we will be a part of the red tape tsunami that will hopefully wash this idea off our shores.