A Metro Vancouver committee spent the morning debating coal shipments in the region, but remains firm in its opposition to coal shipments through the region, but they are covering their legal bases.
Chair Heather Deal says they have amended, slightly, the original motion that stated opposition in April.
"There was wording in the report today that actually amended that to expressing ‘concern’ instead of expressing ‘opposition.’"
But at the end of the day, Deal says the spirit of the original motion stays as is.
"What happened is that we have maintained the position of opposition."
She says the committee is concerned about coal dust.
"Unless they are covered cars, the coal jostles around and breaks up as it travels and continually emits dust."
The motion can still be overturned by the Metro Vancouver board.
The CEO Surrey Fraser Docks made a presentation to the committee today, and pledges to move ahead with his bid to ship coal arriving by rail from the U.S. and then sent down the Fraser by barge.
Jeff scot says they have processes in place to deal with coal dust.
Scott says having the Metro environment committee oppose the idea is just part of the process.
"As far as we are concerned, we are going to continue with our public consultation, our phase two consultation. We are going to have the open houses in May on the 23rd and 25th and we are going to continue to reach out to the public and hear their concerns and consider those in our mitigation strategies.”
He says if it goes through, shipping coal will create some 50 jobs and mean a big boost to the local economy.
The committee has the power to issue or deny air quality certificate for the docks, while many other agencies, including federal ones, are in charge of final approval.