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www.vernonmorningstar.com
Wednesday, January 29, 2014 - The Morning Star A3
Residents fuming over pellet facility JENNIFER SMITH Morning Star Staff
Some Lavington residents remain unconvinced that their neighbourhood is the best spot for a pellet plant. Tolko Industries and Pinnacle Renewable Energies have plans to construct a pellet plant next to the existing Tolko planer mill off School Road. Concerned residents were granted the opportunity to air their concerns about the plant at a Coldstream council meeting Monday. “I do feel that what I’m being sold here is a healthy cigarette,” said Jason Hoffman, who lives on School Road. “We’ve got a school close by and we’ve got a riparian area bordering the property.” Although pellet plants can generate air pollutants, proponents insist this plant will be the most modern facility in Canada. “What we’re doing here is a step well above what we’re required,” said Leroy Reitsma, Pinnacles president and COO. “It’s much more expensive but we think given the proximity to the community here it’s warranted.” The $39 million investment, which will generate at least 25 full-time jobs plus further spinoffs, will produce significantly lower emissions as it is a low temperature drying facility. As a result, the VOCs some are concerned about will not be produced,
JENNIFER SMITH/MORNING STAR
Leroy Reitsma, Pinnacle Renewable Energies president, speaks to a packed open house at Coldstream council Monday about the proposed plans for a pellet plant in Lavington. said Reitsma. But Hoffman insists: “It’s not what you can see, it’s what you can’t see that may be dangerous.” The entire project is also subject to several approvals, including expert reviews which are currently underway. Agricultural Land Commission approval
is pending to grant non-farm use on the total seven-acre parcel of land for the plant. “They will grant approval for a pellet facility and nothing more,” said Coldstream’s director of development services Mike Reiley. Coldstream must also approve land changes as the property is moved from agri-
cultural to industrial use. Coldstream recently gave third reading to do so, but reminds that this process gives the district a say, whereas if the plant was built on existing industrial land the district would only be asked for building permit approvals. “They could actually construct this facility without any further reviews or requests from council,” said Reiley. The Ministry of Environment must also approve the facility, which will be done through an environmental assessment (expected to be completed in mid to late February). “That process must prove that in terms of the impact on human health that this plant will not have a negative impact,” said Reitsma, adding that the assessment will be available to the public and that there will be a public meeting to discuss the findings. Tolko’s Ken Thorlakson says the location was chosen due to its proximity to the existing planer mill and railway. “Anytime you have to put material in a truck and load it and unload it, there’s an added cost,” said Thorlakson of why other locations weren’t viable. This site is anticipated to generate an additional two to four trucks per day (versus the additional trucks that would have been needed to haul to a different location), and it will boost the railway with an additional 3,500 cars per year.
Neighbouring jurisdictions remain opposed Continued from A1 “We’re not trying to tell them what to do. The intent by council is to provide a mechanism to bring closure to this issue,” said Sawatzky. Politicians in the other jurisdictions weren’t impressed with the city’s direction Monday. “I’m in total disagreement with them,” said Maria Besso, a Coldstream councillor. “It’s not a study to give us infor-
mation on new governance structures. It’s a study on how to bring governance together.” Besso says a governance study would take time and resources away from critical issues facing the area such as the master water plan. “They (city) are welcome to make resolutions and send letters but I don’t think it will go anywhere,” she said. Mike Macnabb, Area C director, will not reverse his decision to
oppose a study. “Vernon can do what it wants but it can’t drag in the other jurisdictions,” he said, adding that he isn’t concerned about a conflict arising between Vernon and the other areas. “The relationship is always there and we work together.” The Greater Vernon Governance Society recently collected 3,160 names on a petition calling for a governance study.
“It’s encouraging,” said Bruce Shepherd, society president, of the actions taken by Vernon council Monday. “People would like to know the facts and understand the pros and cons (of amalgamation).” The society held its annual general meeting Tuesday night. “It (city motions) will create good discussion about what we should do in support of council,” said Shepherd.
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Index Activity page..............A25 Arts..........................A10 Classifieds................A27 Comics.....................A26 Editorial......................A8 Letters.......................A9 Sports......................A21 Vol. 26 • No. 79 — 36 Pages
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