Clean Air Forum Underway

By 250 News

This is the fourth Clean Air Forum to be  held in the Province of B.C., but it is the first to be held in the City of Prince George. 

The forum  got off to a "green" start with the announcement that  instead of  each speaker  being given a mug, or pen and pencil set for their participation, the Fraser Basin Council will donate one medium sized tree to be planted by the Forestree Fest.  That is is the project which is replacing trees in Prince George that have been removed because of mountain pine beetle damage.

Acting Mayor, Don Zurowski  said he had hoped to greet Environment Minister Barry Penner  to Prince George and its "sensitive airshed". Penner did not attend the forum, instead, Hu Wallis, the  Director  of the Environmental Quality Branch of the Provincial Ministry of the Environment  was on hand. Zurowski says while the City has come a long way in improving  air quality, "We are not where we should be".  He said he looks forward to  more information that is fact based on the sources of air pollution. Zurowski says once there is  accurate information the  next steps can be taken. He also called on more monitoring of air quality after permits have been issued.

The Ministry’s Hu Wallis told the gathering  there have been major changes.  He remembered the days  30 years ago when Prince George "First appeared on our radar".  He said the initial efforts saw the pulp mills change their  proactices, and  emissions were reduced by 90% but the air quality  didn’t improve  "It was the first time engineering proved there was more going on than just  stack emissions."

Wallis says the Ministry has dedicated  more money to programs that will help  air quality including the "Clean Energy Fund, which is designed to produce green energy. 

Wallis pointed to the Air Quality Health Index as the best  measurement the Ministry has to gauge  the links between air quality and health. 

Wallis says the Province’s new  plan is ambitious "Whether it be buildings, cars, energy sources,  there is no sector that hasn’t been addressed for needing change in an effort to reduce green house gas  emissions."

Wallis says there needs to be some serious changes undertaken now if the Province is to reach  the ambitious targets it has set.  "The challenge and opportunity for communities are going to be huge in the next few years, I was very encouraged to hear from the community services people who will help map out the funding available for communities so they can really find those opportunities."

Those taking part in the forum  include  reps from cities throughout the region, industry ( including reps from Canfor and the Central Interior Logging Association) researchers from UNBC and representatives from PACHA the People’s Action Committee for Healthy Air.

The forum  carries on today and tomorrow at the Ramada in Downtown Prince George.

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