Skakun To Discuss Asphalt Plant Emission Levels With Minister

By Michelle Cyr-Whiting

City Councillor Brian Skakun will sit down with Environment Minister Barry Penner in Victoria later today in hopes of discussing the City's request to review and update provincial regulations governing asphalt plants.

Prince George Mayor Colin Kinsley sent a letter to Minister Penner last month requesting the review.  Kinsley outlined the unique characteristics of the Prince George airshed in trapping emissions and asked that the ministry apply the highest emission limit standards to the city available under the existing regulations in time for the spring 2007 asphalt season.

Skakun, who is in Victoria for a BC Tourism gathering, says local MLA Shirley Bond was able to arrange the meeting with Penner.  He says it will be brief, just 15-minutes, but he's hopeful he'll be able to get an update on the status of the city's request.

At Monday night's council meeting, Councillor Debora Munoz got into a debate with the Mayor over whether the request should have been for an even higher emission limit, like the standard in place in the Greater Vancouver Regional District.  That's the limit being sought by the North Nechako and Heritage Residents Association for Clean Air, the group that first drew council's attention to the issue. (click here for related story)

But Kinsley says while the GVRD limit is more stringent, it is outside of the provincial regulations.  He feels the most prudent and strategic approach for the city to take is to work within the current B.C. regulations, in hopes something can be done before the plants gear up for spring, while pushing for the review.

Two members of the North Nechako and Heritage Residents Association were in the gallery during the discussion.  Spokesperson Kathleen Haines says she still wants to see the city push for the higher standard.  Haines says the group has been in discussions with the Environment Ministry as well, and is pushing for its own review of the regulations.

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