New anti-coal terminal group gathers 7,000+ signatures
Posted August 10, 2013 9:41 pm.
This article is more than 5 years old.
SURREY (NEWS1130) – More opposition is emerging against the possibility of increased coal-train traffic coming through the border and into the Lower Mainland.
A new group representing the people of South Surrey says it’s collected 7,600 signatures on a petition.
The group is called Communities and Coal, and members have been canvassing door to door making people aware of the proposal for additional trains that would wind up at a new terminal at Fraser Surrey Docks.
Co-founder Paula Williams says the petition is mainly aimed at the federal transportation minister and Port Metro Vancouver.
“Currently we have thermal coal going through our neighbourhood. We are asking them to stop expansion. We want a health assessment,” she says.
The primary concern, which is shared by people in New Westminster, White Rock and within the board of Metro Vancouver, is coal dust and coal’s role in climate change.
Williams says they’ve been getting a lot of support from physicians across the border, who are also worried about the health effects.
“Over 200 doctors have been working on this. The doctors down there are more than willing to help us out,” she notes.
“Bellingham residents have clearly stated that they don’t want this. There is a whole movement of people down there trying to stop the coal from being exported.”
