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Opposition growing to Fraser Surrey Docks coal terminal expansion

Rising Tide states, “Port Metro Vancouver (PMV) is currently considering allowing a massive expansion of the Fraser Surrey Docks coal terminal. If the project is approved, Vancouver would become the biggest coal exporter in North America, and the associated carbon emissions would be greater than BC’s current total annual carbon output.”


Last December, the Georgia Straight reported, “The port authority is reviewing an application by Fraser Surrey Docks to develop a ‘direct-transfer coal facility’ to handle up to four million metric tonnes per year—with a potential to rise to eight million metric tonnes per year over the long term. Burlington Northern Santa Fe railway, which is owned by billionaire Warren Buffett’s holding company, wants to bring the coal in by rail to be loaded onto 8,000 deadweight-tonne barges. They would be towed to Texada Island. From there, the coal would be stored and then placed onto deep-sea vessels for export to overseas markets.”


As noted by Rising Tide, “Right now, PMV is holding a 30-day comment period on the project’s environmental assessment. Both the assessment and the way it’s been run are fundamentally flawed, and have been criticized by everyone from health officers to local governments to impacted communities.”


In response to all of this, their call to action states, “On December 17, the last day of the comment period, let’s flood the port, and make sure they hear us loud and clear. ….Tell the port we say NO to Fraser Surrey Docks, NO to their sham review process, and NO to dirty coal – and we pledge to take to the streets if they try to build Fraser Surrey Docks.” To flood the port, they offer the information needed to send an email, Tweet, telephone or even fax the port authority at Rising Tide.


And earlier this week, as the Delta Optimist reported, “Delta council got an earful Monday from opponents of the controversial Fraser Surrey Docks coal handling application. Several dozen showed up to hear civic politicians debate a motion calling for a full health and environmental assessment, but they were not pleased with the outcome (the motion was deferred).” Local Council of Canadians chapter activists are active on this issue and have been following this very closely.

Further reading
Local Coal Terminal Plans Are Part of a Larger Fossil Fuel Export Strategy
Carbon emissions from increased coal exports in BC would top Northern Gateway pipeline
Council of Canadians speaks against coal mines