Kamloops this Week interviews creosote burning facility’s head honcho

In an interview with Aboriginal Cogeneration Corporation President Kim Sigurdson, Kamloops this Week asked why. Sigurdson responses were often vague and shuffled the blame on to others and doubted the ability of Kamloopsians to keep a gasification facility from their community.

At one point KTW asked why the people were not consulted sooner, to which ACC replied that it was a mistake. I figured at this point Sigurdson would mention that the people had a right to know and question what went on in their community, but instead he said that an information package was sent to the city but, "Somebody [at the city] there either lost or misplaced the package."

The information that was sent to Kamloops was apparently sent at the same time the request for a permit was sent out. Perhaps this is true and some silly secretary put the information in her junk mail folder or the paper shredder, but shouldn't there have been some form of follow up on such a big issue?

"Folks at city hall have a hard time believing that we sent it," Sigurdson said. Well of course they do. That information being misplaced would have only benefited the ACC so it is easier to believe that the information was never sent. At this point the ACC figured it was too late for public consultation anyway. But despite that on March 11, there will be a forum held with Sigurdson being present.

The forum will also be a hotspot for protestors opposed to the creosote burning facility. The facebook group: Opposed to creosote burning in Kamloops has an event posted for that day called "Residents for clean air in Kamloops." In which, "The rally will be held on the grounds of TRU as a symbolic rejection of the legitimacy of a Chamber of Commerce forum at TRU showcasing the remarks of the plant's president, Kim Sigurdson."

"Let’s show our dismay towards the ACC's proposal and lack of consideration and peacefully rally for cleaner air in Kamloops, not worse!!" the event explains.

"I hope there’s a lot of people that come inside and want to learn more about what we are and what ACC does," Sigurdson said, acknowledging the protesters at the event.

Despite public opposition Sigurdson concluded the interview relatively confident that Kamloops will see the construction of the gasification plant.

"We have a lot of obstacles, MLAs that seem to be overstepping their bounds," Sigurdson said. But, "I just do not believe that all the people of Kamloops are of the same thought as all these groups like Save Kamloops."

I have to wonder the same thing, the protestors only account for a small proportion of the city... what does the rest of Kamloops really think about this besides what they are being told.