Proposed Pinnacle Renewable Energy pellet plant in Chase, British Columbia, could face lawsuit from residents opposing potential air pollution, claiming right to a clean environment

Allison Oesterle

LOS ANGELES , January 9, 2014 (Industry Intelligence) – Plans by Pinnacle Renewable Energy Group for a pellet plant in Chase, British Columbia, face threats of a class-action lawsuit from the area’s residents who believe the project would damage air quality, The Kamloops Daily News reported on Jan. 5.

So far, it is unclear whether construction of the plant will proceed.

The Chase village council decided to rezone the site from residential to industrial in late November, 2013, angering some residents who believe pollution from the C$40-million plant would be a danger to public health.

Chase Mayor Ron Anderson believes those proposing the suit represent a minority and that 70% of residents favor the plant, which would generate at least $75,000 in tax revenue per year and create 25 jobs. However, Anderson expects the opposition to move forward.

Chase resident Jocelyn Nash, spearheading the lawsuit efforts, said West Coast Environmental Law, an organization dedicated to providing legal council on environmental issues, would help plan and finance the lawsuit.

Nash also plans to work with Alaya Boisvert of the David Suzuki Foundation on a national campaign aimed at placing the right to a clean environment under Canada’s constitution.

The primary source of this article is The Kamloops Daily News, Kamloops, British Columbia, on Jan. 5, 2014.

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