Defying Power

On November 7th to 9th, the National Energy Board of Canada (NEB) will hear the appeal of the US corporation seeking to build a major power plant, the Sumas Energy 2 (SE2), that would emit 2 1/2 tons of pollutants per day into British Columbia’s Fraser Valley airshed.

The NEB ruled in March 2004 that “the burdens of the international power line outweigh the benefits” to Canadians. These burdens include the release of greenhouse gases and toxic particulate matter over the Valley’s farmland and city of Abbotsford. The high-voltage (230,000 volt) power lines also pose health risks to those living near them from exposure to electromagnetic fields (EMF) of such magnitude. Exposure to high levels of EMFs are associated with increased incidences of several types of cancer, miscarriages, and other conditions.

SE2 is now appealing the NEB ruling and trying to force the project through, despite opposition from the government, environmental groups, and First Nations. Citizens of both the US and Canada opposed to construction of the plant say they are “fighting to set a precedent to ensure the people most directly affected are better represented, and that people’s health and clean air is the most important consideration.”

For more information, go to purecanadafoundation.com and www.se2-gasp.org.