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Where's Environment Canada on Dioxins? |
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Crofton mill watchers want federal government on board for testing
By Peter Rusland
Cowichan News Leader Pictorial
Jun 13 2007
Local environmentalists are puzzled about why Environment Canada won’t lead a pilot project using new German technology to study stack data about toxic dioxin and furan emissions at Crofton pulp mill.
Members of the Crofton Airshed Citizens’ Group and Reach For Unbleached say a tentative proposal for the study was written in February with input from the mill, B.C. environment ministry, and Environment Canada that dictates the national standards for the two toxins.
CACG — which formed in reaction to a now-abandoned 2004 mill proposal
to burn coal and tires — is ready to put $80,000 into the study. It
could yield continuous, precise sampling about dioxins and furans
rather than an annual stack test.
“We’re not talking about changes to (provincial) permit but a different type of monitoring,” says Airshed’s Elizabeth White.
That data could help measure pollutants from other Canadian pulp mills and incinerators.
But Environment Canada is stalling, she said.
“If we go ahead without Environment Canada’s participation in the study, no matter what emerges, they wouldn’t accept it.
“But if Environment Canada takes the lead they can make sure the study’s designed the way they want it.”
Environment Canada’s Richard Holt says studying mill emissions is the B.C. environment ministry’s job as permit issuer.
“We can’t test for dioxins at the mill. If the stakeholders, including
the mill and MOE, are interested in doing something we’re listening,”
he says.
“We want to ensure if there’s an (Airshed) investment, it leads to better understanding or reduced dioxin emissions.
“We haven’t said we’re not willing to participate, we’re just waiting for the detailed proposal.”
But that proposal now needs help and verification elements from the feds, explains said RFU’s Delores Broten.
“It’s either bureaucratic bafflegab or we as citizens don’t understand what’s needed.
“If Environment Canada was interested, it would do a partnership and test the equipment to see if it works.
“There’s a deck load of incineration proposals across the country and
Environment Canada should be interested in getting a tight grip on
dioxin emissions.”
Mill vice-president Don McKendrick hints the more dioxin data, the better.
“It’s worth perusing to understand it.
“I can’t comment about Environment Canada. I don’t know if it’s the
best technology but we’re willing to be a party at the table and give
it a trial process.” |
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