I was disturbed to read in your Jan. 16 publication that there are three applications by Enbridge to amend their existing environmental discharge limits.
One application seeks to increase discharge limits of VOC by 168 per cent. A total of 15 amendments are sought to increase the discharge of five different contaminants within a few kilometres of populated areas and none very far from Prince George.
I have been aware since moving to Prince George five years ago that air quality is not a top priority for many residents, who put up with the pulp mill and refinery discharges on a regular basis without complaint. When I bring it up, I hear something along the lines of "well, it's way better than it used to be."
I am concerned that this acceptance of contaminated air to a level that interferes with enjoyment of the outdoors, allows proposals from multinational corporations like Enbridge to not only continue but increase their pollution of our environment in order to increase profits with no real consequences or protest from the public.
I lived in China for two years, a mid-sized city of eight million people. Some days we couldn't see the sun for the smog. Most days, the air stank. I remember longing for Canadian air and feeling grateful that I was born and raised in and would soon return to a country that hadn't forgotten what clean air was.
I hope we never take our clean air for granted. Protecting it takes vigilance and foresight and strength to resist those who think an industry's growth is more important than our own quality of life.
Susan Phillips
Prince George
