Disaster through Naramata Bench

Dear Editor:

I read with great sadness, disbelief and alarm about the open letter of the Penticton Chamber of Commerce in the article from March 12 “Chamber urges 2nd chance for gas pipeline.”

Their letter to the BC Utilities Commission supports FortisBC’s proposal to twin a gas pipeline from Penticton to Chute Lake, a 30-km potential disaster route through Naramata Bench properties, wineries, orchards, and trails. The 16-inch pipe installation will create a far wider path of destruction.

The claim by FortisBC of gas demand increasing was challenged by the BCUC based on evidence provided by First Things First Okanagan, carefully considering the CleanBC roadmap, Penticton and Vernon’s own Community Climate Action Plans, Penticton’s CEEP, and the B.C. government’s move to Zero Carbon Step Code requirements in new buildings.

Referring to BCUC being “driven by “political ideology and the CleanBC roadmap,” which “now puts the basic ability to heat one’s business or home at risk,” shows the lack of understanding of, or refusal to learn about, science and pipeline denial repercussions.

People in the city will not be at risk in winter of having less fossil gas to heat their homes. A reduce demand for gas by electrically serviced new buildings and heat pump retrofits (which provide heat and cooling) will leave more gas available to those who choose fossil gas systems they already have.

And just recently, the International Energy Agency has warned that methane emissions remain at near-record highs. The agency said, “A 75% cut in methane emissions from fossil fuels by 2030 is imperative to stop the planet from warming to a dangerous level.” The oil industry is the largest producer of methane and methane is creating global climate breakdown.

It is our duty, our responsibility to our children for seven generations, in our city, province, and country, to ensure a future with breathable air, sustainable land and enough water for food, recreation, and biodiversity.

Ignoring the dangers of fossil gas production, new infrastructure, and use not only puts our health at risk, it will drastically increase costs to the City of Penticton and Chamber members due to property damage from fires, smoke, and drought, as well as reduced tourism from those climate-generated events.

Can we so quickly forget West Kelowna, Oliver, Osoyoos and 1,000 B.C. fires just last summer? We delay climate solutions at our peril.

Lori Goldman Penticton