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Letter: Project at Catalyst Paper Tis’kwat mill site could be life-changing for community

Considering the well-documented track record of the fossil fuel industry, and the banks thus far in the climate crisis, we need to watch this very closely. ~ Bill Lytle-McGhee
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“And we should all be vigilant.” That was the line that stuck with me after reading John Young’s letter in the Peak [“Hard and fascinating time for Powell River,” December 9, 2021].

At first layman’s glance, Renewable Hydrogen Canada’s website (renewableh2canada.ca) presents a very clear and optimistic picture of [Paper Excellence’s] current and planned operations in BC. The emphasis on “renewable and clean fuels….on a globally significant scale” portends well for Powell River’s economic future, if that is what indeed happens here.

Terms such as “supporting the energy transition”, “low carbon fuels”, “partnerships with First Nations”, “renewable methanol”, “forest-derived biogenics”, and “large scale electrolysis” speak to forward thinking, vision and technical expertise. Partnerships with government are also on display. It would be great if the Powell River public made it their mission to become well informed about what could be a major community life-changing project at the Catalyst Paper Tis’kwat mill site.

Nevertheless we would be, and apparently already are, dealing with a corporation whose essential raison d’etre (reason for existence) is to make a profit, not that there’s anything wrong with that, within reasonable limits. Considering the well-documented track record of the fossil fuel industry, and the banks thus far in the climate crisis, we need to watch this very closely. As Mr. Young said: vigilant.

We need to make sure operations that may occur are aligned with climate goals.

Bill Lytle-McGhee
qathet Climate Alliance