Anti-coal Truck Petition Launched

By David Wiwchar PORT ALBERNI — A new petition was launched at Monday night’s city council meeting.

Local activist Chris Alemany is launching a petition, calling on the community to reject a plan to transport coal to Port Alberni by truck.

Alemany said while many people would support the idea of rebuilding the Vancouver Island rail system to heavy freight grade to carry coal, he is against the prospect of heavy B-train trucks making 100 round trips a day over the Hump and through town.

Compliance Coal CEO John Tapics has said his company would look at the rail option, but only if someone else paid for the line and trestles to be upgraded for heavy coal cars.

The Raven Underground Coal Project is about to go through the federal Environmental Assessment process, and people will soon be able to register their concerns on the CEAA website.

Alemany is setting up a website of his own for the petition, which will be available through www.norailnocoal.ca.