It seems as though the government of the day is in a race against time to sell our resources. LNG will save us all... the deficit and provincial sales tax will disappear and we will all live in a land of plenty.
It's sad enough that export of raw logs is accepted by society, even in times of increasing prices and global demand for our wood products. Now there is a sense of panic related to the export of Liquid Natural Gas. The government is trying desperately to convince the people that if we delay the process we will miss the boat and other countries will get a leg up on us. Curtail environmental assessment and eliminate processes that for years have been in place to protect our future seems to be the current direction, both at a provincial
and federal level.
Here in the Robson Valley we heat with wood, oil or hydro. There is no natural gas available here yet we live in a province flush with enough natural gas to create a massive export market. Perhaps we should take care of the residents of British Columbia first, and only then look at sharing what's left over with other countries that want our resources.
That might be asking a lot... remember... if we don't hurry we might miss the boat.
We are now being told that the province needs to develop Site C on the Peace River to meet the future electrical requirements associated with the conversion of natural gas to a liquid form, suitable for export. It would seem to me that a resource that belongs to the citizens of British Columbia... hydro, should not be used to support an industry that is completely designed for export.
Some of the best land in the province would be lost forever so we can turn a gas into a liquid. I understand that in some countries they use natural gas to create electrical power. Why on earth would we consider using precious future potential hydro power to achieve the-same-objective.
If large amounts of power are required to support a LNG export market, use that same natural gas to create the required electrical power. Keep the potential hydro power that would be generated by the development of Site C for the future needs of the British Columbians.
Perhaps it's time to think about closing the bargain basement and start thinking more about the future for our children's grand children.
Wayne Van Velzen
Valemount
