EVR Fording River Extension

Thank you for the opportunity to provide input with regards to the EVR Fording River Extension. I live in Fernie, BC (downriver from the coal plants) and a healthy Elk River is critical to the well-being of Fernie.

It has been scientifically proven that the mining of metallurgical coal pollutes and compromises water quality in the Elk River and its tributaries. The town of Fernie has had to decommission one of its two drinking water sources due to extremely high selenium levels caused by EVR. It has also caused significant concern farther downstream even affecting negotiations with the USA on the Columbia River Treaty.

I’m dismayed when looking at the environmental record of EVR's coal plants in the Elk Valley of B.C. 

The Elk Valley Water Quality Plan (Teck) of 2014 has never been realized. We continue to see increased Selenium and other pollutants in the Elk River due to EVR's operations. Promises to fix the issue have been empty promises. EVR-Teck have been issued fines for various spills & transgressions, and they have destroyed the Fording River, a tributary of the Elk River. The Fording is now a heavily polluted river. EVR-Teck have devastated native Westslope Cutthroat Trout populations and other aquatic life in the Fording. Cutthroat trout are the only native trout (other than rainbow trout) in North America and the Elk River and its tributaries are one of the last bastions of this native fish.

Teck produces metallurgical coal for the manufacture of steel. The steel industry is the 2nd most polluting industry in the world after cement manufacturing causing approx. 8% of global emissions. Just as thermal coal used mainly in the production of electricity can be replaced with cleaner energy from renewables, steel companies can use low-emission steel manufacturing to phase out metallurgical coal. Tires going into landfills can partially replace metallurgical coal - a win for the environment! Also, work is underway for replacing metallurgical coal with renewable Hydrogen. In addition, many steel mills have transitioned from Blast furnaces to Electric Arc furnaces which do not use metallurgical coal.

Teck’s operations in the Elk Valley leave a moonscape surrounded by the beautiful Rocky Mountains. Just 15 minutes down the road from Sparwood is the beautiful town of Fernie where residents have a strong economy due mainly to the tourism industry. Unfortunately, tourists are not attracted to the Sparwood area due to EVR's presence. That could change without EVR's presence. Sparwood could become another Fernie!

It just does not make any sense given the above concerns and the record of EVR/Teck that you would extend the life of any of the EVR plants!

Yours Sincerely,