Ask the premier and the provincial government to say no to US coal exports through Texada Island

Will the BC government show leadership by saying NO to US coal exports?

It's time to call on our provincial government to step in and protect our interests.  Can you help? 

It has now been two months since the end of the public comment period on the Port Authority's coal export EIA. The public response was loud and clear: 3500 comments opposed to the proposal to export US coal from Surrey, and only six in favour.  Experts also rejected the EIA as flawed and superficial.  The Port has had no response.

If this kind of reaction can't convince the Port to do the right thing, it is clearly time for our provincial government to step up and provide leadership. If you agree, please click here to send Premier Clark and her Ministers a message calling for action on US coal exports.

We're working with our allies on the coal export issue to flood the province with appeals on this issue. Over two thousand people have sent messages already. Can you add yours?

The province has the power to intervene on US coal exports.

The BC government has exclusive regulatory authority over the Texada Island facility where coal would be transferred from barges to ocean-going vessels. The province must demand a thorough environmental impact assessment of the proposed expansion of coal exports from that facility -- including an assessment of the climate impacts of burning that coal, as well as the local environmental impacts of shipping and handling coal.

The province is also responsible for protecting public health, and should work with our regional health authorities to conduct a cumulative health impact assessment of all coal export expansion proposals.

It's not as if our government hasn't already taken a stand on thermal coal.  In 2007 Gordon Campbell banned its use for power production in BC because of the climate impacts. Today, Premier Clark likes to say that LNG exports will "do the world a favour" by helping other countries end their use of this dirty and polluting fuel source (even as BC has been quietly increasing exports of that same fuel).

But for whatever reason, the province is trying to duck any responsibility for the decision to export US thermal coal through BC, via Surrey and Texada Island.  

That's not leadership, and British Columbians deserve better. If US cities are saying no to Big Coal, why should Metro Vancouver be their doormat?

Please write to the Premier and her Ministers today to say you expect them to look out for our interests on this issue.

Thanks for taking action!

Kevin and Kathy for
Voters Taking Action on Climate Change

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