North Vancouver’s Neptune Coal Terminal
Fraser Surrey docks
The AGM for Port Metro Vancouver (PMV) will be held on Tuesday, June 2, 2015 at 3pm at the Vancouver Convention Centre. In August of 2014, PMV approved a controversial thermal coal export terminal at the Fraser Surrey docks. While there was significant opposition in the region to the new coal terminal (especially in Surrey, White Rock, New Westminister & Richmond), it was still approved by PMV.
A sign against the ‘Coal Train’ in White Rock
The original plans called for transport of US thermal coal to the Fraser Surrey docks by rail, and then the loading of the coal onto barges for transport to Texada Island. The Province previously approved the expansion of a deep sea vessel coal transfer facility on Texada Island. While it appears that these plans are on hold, PMV is considering allowing larger vessels to transport coal via the Fraser Surrey docks.
The group VTACC (Voters Taking Action on Climate Change) plans to present a letter signed by over 3,000 people to Port Metro Vancouver at the AGM. VTACC is also undertaking several initiatives, including a legal challenge, in order to stop a coal port on the Fraser River.
Further background on the PMV AGM and about the VTACC action against the new Fraser Surrey coal port can be found in the following article:
Coal debate heats up before Port Metro Vancouver’s annual meeting (MetroNews, by Emily Jackson, June 1, 2015)
MetroVanWatch 
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