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Elizabeth White see "The Corporation" |
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Duncan News Leader - Your opinions
March 31, 2004
Can Norske prove it’s not Corporation material?Elizabeth White sees The
Corporation - March 31 - " An independent baseline study of the mill’s
emissions, including dispersion modeling, would tell us what the
current risks are, and what the probable impact of the alternative
fuels might be. In many parts of North America, such a study would be
required before a permit was issued. What is Norske afraid of? "
Duncan News Leader
Your opinions
March 31, 2004
Can Norske prove it’s not Corporation material?
Dear editor,
I had the opportunity to see The Corporation in Duncan.
The documentary describes how the fundamental legal structure of
corporations is a root cause of many problems, including industrial
pollution. The argument is made that, if the corporation is a person
under the law, then that person shows all the clinical symptoms of a
psychopath. The issues raised take us way beyond the politics of left
and right and simplistic ‘good guys versus bad guys’ arguments.
The film really makes us question things we take for granted.
As I watched the film, I thought about our local corporation,
NorskeCanada, and the Crofton mill. The film points out companies will
continue to pollute until there is no longer a financial incentive to
do so.
Fuel switching at the Crofton mill, from natural gas to coal, shredded
tires and railway tires will reduce costs. But it could also increase
the total burden of air pollutants, not reduce it.
I hope I am wrong, but the current round of public consultations Norske
announced with much fanfare a month ago seems to me to be nothing but a
public relations exercise, an elaborate opinion poll which the company
will use to make, or justify, decisions with potentially serious public
health impacts.
If Norske knows that its current and proposed air emissions are
harmless, or at least pose a tolerable risk compared to the benefits
the company provides, why does it not do what the Crofton Airshed
Citizens Group has been asking for?
An independent baseline study of the mill’s emissions, including
dispersion modeling, would tell us what the current risks are, and what
the probable impact of the alternative fuels might be. In many parts of
North America, such a study would be required before a permit was
issued. What is Norske afraid of?
—Elizabeth White
Saltspring Island
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