B.C. community debates plan for coal-fired power plant

The proposal for a coal-burning power plant at an old mine site near Princeton in the Southern Interior is drawing fire from many residents of the area.

About 200 people showed up at a public meeting in the small community on Wednesday night to hear more about the plan, and to tell the government and the company Compliance Energy what they think about it.

Critics note that the type of coal plant being proposed doesn't use the latest technology, which drastically reduces the levels of greenhouse gas emissions.

Long-time Princeton resident John Noppe said the plant uses older, cheaper technology which produces more pollutants.

"There's no way that burning this coal is not going to produce carbon dioxide and probably some mercury."

B.C. Hydro has approved the plant, and B.C. Energy Minister Richard Neufeld has said it will go ahead pending an environmental assessment.

He acknowledges the proposed coal-burning plant is not the cleanest model, butargues thatit's an affordable way to meet the province's electricity demands.

"We need electricity. This will bridge the gap," the minister told CBC Radio.

But at his ranch outside Princeton, local resident Brad Hope said that's unacceptable.

"The minister's argument that we need the power, and so we have to do this, is just somewhere near pathetic, because is this the most creative we can be in British Columbia?"

Plant would mean 70 jobs

Others in the small community argue it will create desperately needed jobs.There would be about 200 jobs in the first two years, and then 70 long-time jobs at the plant after that.

Local high school principal Bill Lawrence said he's waiting for the results of the environmental assessment,which is just getting underway.

He added that any primary industry pollutes, and that his community needs the economic boost the plant would provide.

"I like the jobs. Our school district has been declining every year, so I don't necessarily want to shut something down if it can be done in a responsible way, which I guess is what I need to be convinced of."

Princeton Mayor Randy MacLean, who owns a local restaurant, said he would also like to see more jobs, but hequestions the trade-off with environmental safety.

"If we put a few more jobs in the community, let's put them in where we don't cost them health and welfare and endanger our citizens."

The companyestimates that if everything goes according to plan, the new power plant would be online by 2008.