Vancouver Port Authority and coal

By Peter Jones

Despite the general recognition that it is the worst generator of GreenHouse Gas Emissions, coal is making a comeback on a worldwide basis.

In several of our blogs we addressed the subject of exports of North American coal to the Pacific Rim.  We noted that the Vancouver Port Authority wishes to grab its share.  Apparently the Port’s coal facilities are currently working to capacity, which means the Authority must make capital expenditures to expand terminals etc. to handle the large volume of future exports. The Vancouver organization, Voters Taking Action on Climate Change (VTACC) is opposing expansion for this purpose, and For Our Grandchildren (4RG) has supported their opposition.

VTACC is now campaigning to have Kevin Washbrook, one of its organizers, appointed to fill a spot on the Board of Directors that sets commercial and environmental policies. His candidacy enjoys media support.

As we did before, we invite our supporters to again write and/or email the Authority expressing your support for this candidate.  For emails click on the following links:

community.relations@portmetrovancouver.com
government.affairs@portmetrovancouver.com
public_affairs@portmetrovancouver.com

The text of our email that you may use is as follows:

To the Board of Directors of the Vancouver Port Authority

A sizeable majority of the Canadian public is concerned about the environment. They reject the assumption that corporations, whether public and private, can carry on business as usual without regard to these concerns.

Kevin Washbrook is a candidate to fill a vacancy on the Board of Directors. His qualifications include his experience as a community organizer on environmental matters. He considers that the Authority ought to be transparent, accountable and publicly engaged.

The appointment will ensure that decisions that impact our environment will consider these impacts before the decision is made.

While his views may differ from other Board members, his appointment would help diffuse any sense that the Vancouver Port Authority is indifferent to the environment in making its decisions.

Yours truly,

Peter Jones on behalf of

For Our Grandchildren (4RG)