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$2.00 Your community newspaper since 1916
Thursday, February 18, 2021
PGCITIZEN.CA
PRINCEGEORGECITIZEN
Air pollution emissions down ARTHUR WILLIAMS
The Prince George airshed has seen significant reductions in industrial air pollution, but levels of fine particulate matter still exceed provincial health standards in 10 city neighbourhoods.
their work day. His quick wit, sharp sense of timing and caring nature came through loud and clear over the airwaves and for 35 years he was one of the city’s most popular and beloved radio personalities.
UNBC researcher Peter Jackson presented the results of an air quality emissions and modelling study to city council last week. The study, which looked at data from 2014 to 2016, found industrial emissions of fine particulate matter (PM 2.5) had dropped by 40 per cent since the last study in 2005. Industrial sulphur dioxide emissions had also decreased by 24 per cent over the same period. “The emissions is what goes into the air, but what we care about is the air we breathe,” Jackson said. “Industry has been spending a lot of money and putting in a lot of effort to reduce emissions.” However, Jackson said, industrial sources continue to be the single-largest sources of fine particulate matter in the city, followed by residential heating – meaning wood stoves. “Natural gas contributes very little in terms of particulate matter,” he said. “In some neighbourhoods, like North Hart, that (wood burning appliances) are the dominate source.” While industrial emissions are fairly steady throughout the year, wood burning can be a major source of air pollution in the winter months, he said. The B.C. Ministry of Environment and Climate Change Strategy calls fine
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CITIZEN PHOTO BY JAMES DOYLE/LOCAL JOURNALISM INITIATIVE
MUSICALLY INCLINED Conductor Michael Hall led the Prince George Symphony Orchestra Sunday afternoon as they played Richard Wagner’s Siegfried Idyll and Nonet Op 139 by Josef Rheinberger.
Beloved radio announcer Benny dies at 58 TED CLARKE
When you’re the morning voice of a radio station it helps to have a sunny disposition to chase all the clouds away. Mike Bennie had that quality in abun-
dance. Right from the day he joined the staff at CKPG 550 AM in 1985, Benny had a way of charming his listeners and he was a master of putting Prince George people into a good mood when they tuned in to start