Rescind endorsement of Atlantic Power's Permit 8808

Rail Ties Be Wise is a dynamic group of Williams Lake and area citizens concerned with the implications of Atlantic Power’s recently approved amended permit to burn up to 50% shredded rail ties in their Williams Lake facility. We don’t want Williams Lake to become the rail tie burning capital of Western Canada, as would be the case if Atlantic Power burned up to 50% rail ties. We are concerned about how this will affect our reputation, the growth of our community, and the health of people living and working in Williams Lake.

We realize that burning rail ties is one of few options for dealing with ties at the end of their lifespan, but we have concerns with this taking place in Williams Lake. Williams Lake sits in a bowl and experiences inversions, meaning the air sits in the valley for extended periods of time, and creates air pollution challenges for the young, elderly, and people with respiratory problems. This permit allows significant increase of sulphur dioxide, which is currently not detectable in the airshed. This is a step backwards after improvements to air quality when Beehive burners were removed from Williams Lake.

The current plan for ash disposal is to add to the existing ash dump above Frizzi Road, which is an unstable slope. If a slide occurred, the toxic ash could end up in Williams Creek and eventually the Fraser River, threatening other communities and provincially significant salmon stocks downstream.

We aren’t willing to sacrifice the health of our community or our reputation because CN Rail lacks a clear plan for safe, environmentally sustainable disposal of its rail ties.

I ask that the City of Williams Lake rescind its endorsement of Permit 8808, allowing Atlantic Power to burn up to 50% rail ties per year.