Appeal of Rio Tinto Alcan Smelter Pollution Begins Monday: Skeena Wild

KITIMAT, BRITISH COLUMBIA--(Marketwired - April 27, 2015) -

Editors Note: There is a photo associated with this Press Release

Two Kitimat residents' appeal of a BC government permit allowing Rio Tinto Alcan to dramatically increase pollution from its Kitimat aluminum smelter begins Monday in Victoria.

In April 2013, the BC Ministry of Environment granted a permit to Rio Tinto Alcan (RTA) allowing the company to increase sulphur dioxide (SO2) emissions from its Kitimat smelter from 26 to 42 tonnes per day.

Later in 2013, B.C.'s Environmental Appeal Board agreed to hear Lis Stannus and Emily Toews' appeal of the decision.

"The province's decision will have a direct impact on our quality of life as Kitimat residents," said Stannus. "We feel strongly that the permit was the result of a flawed process, that the province did not consider all of the information regarding the impacts, and that the best available pollution control technology should have been required."

The permit makes the smelter's sulphur dioxide emissions higher than any other aluminum smelter in Canada and any industrial plant in B.C. Sulphur dioxide causes acid rain and is linked to heart attacks, strokes, cognitive dysfunction and premature births, according to the World Health Organization.

Toews, a new mother, had to leave the Lower Mainland because of her asthma and worries she will have to move away from Kitimat for the same reason.

"Living in Kitimat has allowed me to get my asthma under control," said Toews. "I'm worried that the increased emissions from Rio Tinto Alcan's smelter will jeopardize my health."

Among other issues listed in Stannus and Toews' appeal are concerns about the close relationship between Rio Tinto Alcan and staff at the BC Ministry of Environment. During the permitting process, the company seconded a ministry staff person and contributed to his salary, which the appellants argue biased the ministry's decision.

SkeenaWild Conservation Trust, the Lakelse Lake Watershed Society and several individuals also attempted to appeal the permit decision but were denied standing. They are supporting Stannus and Toews' appeal.

Backgrounder and digital photo of the appellants available at SkeenaWild.org

BACKGROUNDER

What is happening?

Kitimat residents Lis Stannus and Emily Toews have appealed the BC Ministry of Environment's decision to permit Rio Tinto Alcan to increase sulphur dioxide (SO2) emissions from its Kitimat aluminum smelter by 56 percent, or 42 tonnes per day. The permit makes the sulphur dioxide emissions from Rio Tinto Alcan's Kitimat smelter the highest of any aluminum smelter in Canada and of any industrial plant in B.C.

Who are Lis and Emily?

Lis Stannus and Emily Toews, are two outdoors-loving Kitimat teachers. Emily is a new mother and had to leave the Lower Mainland because of her asthma. Now, she is worried that she will have to move away from Kitimat for the same reason.

When and where are the hearings taking place?

The Environmental Appeal Board will be hearing the appeal in the following locations:



-- Victoria: April 27 - May 1 and May 11 - 15 (3rd Floor, 747 Fort Street)
-- Kitimat: June 1 - 5 and June 8 - 12 (386 Haisla Street)



What is the Environmental Appeal Board?

The Environmental Appeal Board is an independent agency established under British Columbia's Environmental Management Act that provides a quasi-judicial access point for the public and industry to appeal certain decisions made by government officials related to environmental issues.

What is Sulphur Dioxide?

Sulphur dioxide is a pollutant that impairs peoples' ability to breathe and causes acid rain. There are no known safe levels of Sulphur Dioxide. Over mere minutes, poor air quality increases the risk of asthmatic episodes and hospitalization, and in the longer term, it increases the risk of heart attack, stroke and cancer.

What is Lis and Emily's appeal based on?

Lis and Emily are appealing the Ministry of Environment's decision to grant Rio Tinto Alcan its permit, because the decision involved:



-- Inadequate information regarding health, the environment, agriculture
and fisheries;
-- Inadequate consideration of the need for sulphur dioxide scrubbers,
which are the best available control technology and were recommended by
Northern Health Authority;
-- Inadequate public consultation;
-- Inadequate consideration of the impact of other proposed industries on
air quality and acid rain;
-- Unfair influence of previous agreements between RTA and MOE.



How can I follow the hearings?

Updates on the hearings will be posted to the SkeenaWild website (www.skeenawild.org).

To view the photo associated with this press release, please visit the following link: http://www.marketwire.com/library/20150427-SKEENA800.jpg

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION PLEASE CONTACT:
Greg Knox
SkeenaWild Conservation Trust
(250) 615-1990