Port Metro Vancouver on August 21 approved a proposed direct
coal transfer facility at the Fraser Surrey Docks marine terminal.
The decision came after a two-year project review process
and including extra measures taken to assess any potential environmental and
human health risks. In granting the permit, Port Metro Vancouver requires the
terminal to meet a strict set of conditions to ensure environmental and safety
standards.
“Through our comprehensive project review process,
stakeholder consultation, as well as third-party validated environmental and
health studies, it was determined there are no unacceptable risks and the
project could be permitted,” Peter Xotta, Port Metro Vancouver’s Vice President
of Planning and Operations said.
The $15 million project is expected to provide 25 direct and
25 indirect full-time jobs. Once constructed by Fraser Surrey Docks, the
facility is expected to handle up to four million metric tons of coal annually
that would be loaded onto barges at the facility and transferred to ocean-going
carriers at Texada Island.
The coal is to arrive at Fraser Surrey Docks via rail, and
it is expected the project will result in one additional train per day along
the BNSF railroad. Coal is the most heavily traded commodity at Metro Vancouver;
the quantity to be shipped from Fraser Surrey Docks would represent about 10
percent of total coal shipments, according to the port.
In September 2013, the port announced new requirements for
the proposed project, including the prohibition of on-site storage of coal and
requirements for barges to take additional measures to prevent coal dust
escaping during transit to Texada Island.
The port also asked the terminal to work with its rail
provider to address issues of potential coal dust from rail cars. In May, BNSF
announced it was adding a re-spray of a dust suppressant agent to the train
cars before they enter Canada.
