Input to NWP Coal Canada Environmental Impact Statement Doc. Ref. 22

Environmental Impact Statement of the Crown Mountain Coking Coa; Project by NWP Coal Canada Ltd.

By R. Don Peel, PGeo (APEGA)

Reference: E.7.1 Atmospheric Environmental Assessment

According to this section the Assessment will focus on “[a]ir emissions resulting from coal mining and processing” including the cumulative effects assessment on a local and regional basis (“Atmospheric LSA and Atmospheric RSA”).

From a holistic perspective, there needs to be an inclusion of the global impact by stating the emissions of burning the estimated 1.9 million tonnes of coal annually that will be produced for the Crown Mountain coal deposit. There are statistics being used by such groups as Kootenay Tribe and BC Rising misleading public on Canada’s contribution to the GHG emissions based on the figures that this Assessment is conveying (coal mining and production). This information, which also does not reflect the per capital emissions, is likely being used by Alberta pro-development organizations.

Projecting the supply that creates GHG emissions, focused on the burning of the fossil fuels, conveys a more realistic impact assessment from a global perspective. All EIAs MUST include such information to give global/state policy makers a more realistic idea of the source and amounts of GHG that are being released globally.

Reporting only local and regional impacts of the mining activity is analogous to mass producing ghg emitting vehicles, without considering the impact of the use of those vehicles.

To be included in the EIAs is a detailed chemical analysis of the composition of the fossil fuel (in this case, coal), to understand the impact of the release of any other resource associated elements or compounds into the environment.

R. Don Peel, P.Geo., MSc., MEd., FEC (Hon.), FGC.

University of Alberta, East West Center Alumni,

University of Hawai'i Optional Practical Training,

Peace Education and Education for Sustainable Development Specialist

Peace Agent, Peace Revolution

Creston Climate Action Society

Board Director Wildsight Creston

United Nations Association, Hawai'i Chapter Intern

Columbia Basin Environmental Education Network + Environmental Educators Provincial Specialist Association