A chilly wind Thursday did little to cool heated opposition to a proposed rail-tie gasifier in Kamloops.
More than 140 people stood and shivered outside the Campus Activity Centre as several people — including NDP politicians and local doctors — spoke against a plan to build a high-tech gasifier at a site on Missions Flats Road.

The Aboriginal Cogeneration Corp. wants to build the gasifier to burn creosote-treated rail ties and generate electricity. The Manitoba firm's proposal has already received a permit from the Ministry of Environment. Similar themes emerged from many of the speakers. Some spoke of the universal desire for clean air and water, while others worried about the effects of emissions on human health.

“I want clear air, just like everyone else,” said John McNamer, one of the rally's organizers. Several talked about the “failure of the democratic process,” noting City politicians unanimously opposed the proposal, to no effect.

Coun. Nancy Bepple said the issue is political, not scientific. She urged the crowd to make sure their voices are heard. Fellow City councillor Denis Walsh picked up on that theme, describing how provincial government policy leaves municipal governments “impotent.” If local citizens object to a proposal, the project should go elsewhere, he suggested. “Where is the safest place (to build the gasifier) — not in Kamloops,” he said.

Alan Vukusic, a Kamloops emergency room doctor, read a letter on behalf of roughly 100 local doctors who oppose the proposal. The doctors' letter questioned the lack of studies on gasifier technology, especially if it's set up in close proximity to a large city.

“Kamloops would become an experimental laboratory,” Vukusic said. “The people's wishes should be respected.” Michael Crawford, who ran for the federal NDP in the last two elections, drew wild cheers with his call to MLA Terry Lake and MP Cathy McLeod to demand from their governments a different response. He suggested Lake should demand that B.C. Environment Minister Barry Penner revoke ACC's permit.

Lake said he, too, is concerned about air quality in Kamloops, noting his mother died of lung cancer and his wife and daughter suffer asthma. But he said this issue is as much a question of procedural fairness, a remark that drew loud heckles and boos from the crowd. Lake said there is a process in place and government cannot change the rules mid-stream, again to loud jeers.

Some of the crowd's loudest cheers came for local environmentalist Bronwen Scott, who spoke on behalf of Ruth Madsen. Scott's appeal of a Domtar pulp mill permit was rejected Wednesday, while Madsen's appeal against ACC is on thin ice, with a government lawyer advising it be disqualified.

Scott said Madsen is out of the country, working hard to secure standing to challenge the permit in the final day before the appeal deadline.

“We have a good chance yet,” said Scott, reading from Madsen's letter.

“This (gasifier) does not belong in our community.” Madsen said a refusal by the Environmental Appeal Board to hear her appeal would be “one of the greatest travesties in Kamloops' history. “We've been sold out for a few jobs and a few dollars,” she said.