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Our epistolary relationship with Mining Minister Randy Hawes

Posted by Stop Coal Team at Feb 05, 2011 11:45 AM |
We have tried to engage the Minister in a dialogue on the need to phase out coal and prepare BC for the transition away from fossil fuel production and exports. He says he is not prepared to discuss this and urges us get realistic. Read the full exchange here.

(in chronological order)

January, 24, 2011: stopcoal.ca to all Ministers and Critics

Dear Ministers and Opposition Critics,

Please find attached a letter from British Columbians for Climate Action. We are calling on you today to end all mining and export of coal from BC by 2015.

Climate science says 2015 is the year that emissions must begin to decrease rapidly, if we are to avoid a climate catastrophe. The government's recent trip to Asia, where it promoted the potential doubling of BC coal exports, is completely out of touch with the urgent need for action on climate change.  This is reckless, and puts our future at risk.

We urge you to take steps to begin the winding down of BC's coal mining and export immediately.

Sincerely, Kevin Washbrook
for the Stop Coal Team, and all British Columbians who are ready to take action to ensure our survival.

January 24th 2011

Hon. Steve Thomson, Minister of Energy
Hon. Murray Coell, Minister of Environment
Hon. Pat Bell, Minister of Forests, Mines and Lands
Hon. John Yap, Minister of State for Climate Action
Hon. Randy Hawes, Minister of State for Mining
Hon. Shirley Bond, Minister of Transportation and Infrastructure

Government of British Columbia
Parliament Buildings
Victoria, BC

Dear Ministers:

As British Columbians for Climate Action, we are extremely concerned
about the looming climate disasters that endanger the future of people
throughout the world, including those of us here in B.C. We are
dismayed by the lack of serious action by your government to reduce
greenhouse gas emissions.

Although you use strong words to acknowledge the threats of climate
change and have implemented a modest carbon tax, you and your
government hypocritically continue to encourage the very things that
cause climate change.

Most egregiously, you and your government support the continued
mining and exporting of huge amounts of coal, in excess of 35 million
tonnes in 2010. When burned, this coal more than doubles the amount
of CO2 emissions that British Columbia acknowledges in its official
domestic inventory.

Wherever this coal is burned, it releases toxic emissions that make
climate change worse. It comes from B.C., and it is our moral
responsibility to ensure it is not used to cause harm. Yet, indisputably,
it does cause harm, and we enable, and profit from, that harm.

Emissions from coal exported out of British Columbia are our
responsibility. We, British Columbians for Climate Action, believe
burning coal is immoral and just plain wrong, because it significantly
contributes to climate change. Climate change already kills hundreds
of thousands of people annually around the world, while devastating
the lives of hundreds of millions more. Continued burning of coal
ensures the death and devastation of billions of people. Being
responsible for, not to mention profiting from, such mass destruction
cannot be justified under any circumstances. And, since coal is only
mined to be burned, mining coal is equally unjustifiable.

We call on you, therefore, to end all coal mining in BC by 2015.
This is the latest date at which current climate science says that total
global greenhouse emissions must begin to decline if humanity is to
have any prospect of avoiding the catastrophic destabilization of global
climate.

We also call on you to end the export of all coal, from all sources,
out of BC ports by the same year.

Sincerely,
Jane Kilthei, Cliff Stainsby, Kevin Washbrook, Caitlyn Vernon, Will
Horter & Peter Nix,
on behalf of all British Columbians wanting to keep coal in the ground.

stopcoal.ca
stop.coal.bc@gmail.com

cc. Critics, Official Opposition: Rob Fleming, John Horgan, Norm
Macdonald, Harry Bains, Gary Coons, Michael Sather

January 24th: Mining Minister Randy Hawes to stopcoal.ca

I hope you do understand that the vast majority of coal mined in BC is metalurgical coal and is necessary for the production of steel. If we are not mining our resource, please let me know in which country you support the mining of metalurgical coal. Perhaps you do not support the production of steel in which case you might explain what product we would substitute.

If you think our coal is used for power production or purely for heat, I would strongly suggest some education might assist. I believe the Mining Association of British Columbia would be pleased to provide information.

Regards
Randy Hawes

January 26th: stopcoal.ca to Mining Minister Randy Hawes

Dear Minister Hawes

Thank you for your reply.    Yes, we have taken great effort to become informed about the uses of BC coal, as well as the scale and future trends of exports.    We trust that you have taken the same effort to become informed about the urgency and scale of the climate crisis, and the need to begin sharply reducing emissions no later than 2015.

It is our job as citizens to point out the problem -- the need to stop climate change, and how your government's policies are currently making it worse -- and to demand positive action.  Nonetheless, we have given a lot of thought to the steel/coal dilemma and how to resolve it.

Understanding that it is your job, as government, to find solutions, we would like to meet with you at you earliest convenience to discuss the issue and to identify solutions that are in the best interest of British Columbians and the future of the planet.

Sincerely,
Kevin Washbrook
for the Stop Coal Team

January 26th: Mining Minister Randy Hawes to stopcoal.ca

Kevin:
You have not really answered my questions. Since the coal produced in BC is used for steel making and there is no other method of making steel, metallurgical coal will continue to be mined and provided for steel manufacture whether from BC or from other jurisdictions. I happen to think that we have better standards, more environmental regulation and better working conditions for workers than many other places in the world. I also know that literally thousands of families rely on the jobs provided from mining coal.

I do not share your belief that metallurgical coal is responsible for "the climate crisis", nor do I believe that stopping coal mining in BC would do anything but bankrupt many families.

If you have alternatives to steel that would be endorsed world wide, please let me know. I would also be interested to know if you live in an area near the Raven coal prospect. That would assist me in better understanding your desires.

Randy Hawes

February 2nd: stopcoal.ca to Mining Minister Randy Hawes

Dear Minister Hawes:

Apologies if we were unclear in our answer to your question.  As we said, we have given a lot of thought to the issue of coal use in steel making, and we would like to meet with you to discuss how British Columbia can play a leadership role in helping the world transition away from coal use for this purpose.

Alternatives to coal use in steel production will need to be found, because they must be found in order to avoid a  climate catastrophe.  British Columbians can either proactively plan for these changes, or we can react to them.  A proactive approach has the potential to create jobs, rather than lose them.  We want to meet with you to discuss how we can work together to ensure a fair and timely transition that benefits everyone in the province.

Let us ask you a question as well: Surely we agree that BC coal, like all coal, contributes to climate change when burned. Since the entire world urgently needs to begin rapidly reducing emissions, do you not agree as well that it is only a matter of time until BC coal production and export also must be reduced?

Finally, the people who are actively opposing the Raven mine can be reached through www.coalwatch.ca.  We certainly support their cause, but we want to be clear that we are calling for an end to all mining and export of coal from BC.  The climate crisis demands no less.

Once again, we would like to meet with you to discuss these issues.  This is a conversation that we as British Columbians need to have.

Sincerely,
Jane Kilthei, Kevin Washbrook, Peter Nix, Will Horter
for British Columbians wanting an end to coal.

February 2nd: Mining Minister Randy Hawes to stopcoal.ca

Thank you for your email. I am not an expert in steel making as I only know that steel cannot be made without metallurgical coal. I also know there are ways to capture emissions that would render the use of coal benign. Why would you not talk about those?  The coal industry in BC currently employs thousands of workers which means support for families, and indirect jobs for thousands more. Additionally, royalties add hundreds of millions to provincial coffers to pay for health care, education, and services British Columbians demand.

Sorry, but I am not prepared to discuss anything that would destroy an industry, families, and have such a detrimental affect on our economy.
In terms of climate change, I am sure you are aware that it if mining coal was suspended in BC the world's steel makers would find coal from other sources. Many of those sources have little or no environmental standards and poor worker safety records.  How do you think that benefits either BC or global warming?

I would urge you to get realistic, understand the importance of steel production to the world, of coal mining to British Columbia, and if you must, urge steel makers to better capture emissions. I an compelled to stand up for those families who rely upon this industry for their existence and will continue to do so.

Regards
Randy Hawes

Document Actions
Arthur says:
Feb 07, 2011 01:35 PM

Charcoal, made from renewable wood, has been used to make steel since the dawn Iron Age. Coal replaced charcoal in Asia and Europe only when deforestation reduced the amount of wood available.

Charcoal or torrefied wood pellets made by B.C.'s sustainable forest industry could likely be used in place of coal without extensive retooling by steel makers. Perhaps Minister Hawes and Forest Minister Pat Bell could fund some research to make this business case to steel makers.

Arthur says:
Feb 07, 2011 01:37 PM

Oops, ...since the dawn OF the Iron Age.

Eva-Maria says:
Feb 07, 2011 05:50 PM

B.C.'s forestry industry, if used to make charcoal, wouldn't be sustainable for long, and I would also argue with you that it's sustainable in any case. This solution is going backwards, not forwards, in my opinion. What about harnessing the power of the sea to create energy and make steel production as green as possible ... recycling used water. There is no way we can continue our lifestyles into any type of sustainable future, we have to begin to understand that. We CONSUME FAR TOO MUCH IN GOODS and that's the simple plain fact. I find the Stop Coal answers to the Mining Minister a bit frustrating, actually. We need to make it clear that we are not an enemy of progress by any means. We need to make it clear that we're not an enemy of economic wealth, either. We also need to make it clear that we have contacted the people and done our homework as suggested by Hawes; the Mining Association of B.C., as pointed out to us, would love to help us out with this. The fact that Randy Hawes has pointed us in that direction, very specifically, shouuld be a big clue as to motivation ... his. And whether we like it or not, Mr. Hawes' motivation should matter to us a great deal. He is our ally in this, and if not him, then someone who matters absolutely has to be that. Someone who matters. That's what everyone needs to understand .. we all matter in this. What one party says, cannot be discounted without specific and direct reply by the other. Please note that we are not here to speak over each others' heads.

lynne says:
Feb 07, 2011 09:38 PM

Interesting that Mr. Hawes wants to know if Kevin lives in an area near the mine. Well, Mr. Hawes, I don't believe Kevin does, but I do. I am very dismayed that Mr. Hawes believes it is okay to destroy sensitive ecosystems in the name of mining. I was recently told by a civil engineer who spent his career in coal that there is technology available to prevent the production of CO2 from burning coal, but no one uses it because it is too expensive. I agree with Eva Maria that we need to stop our mindless consumption of junk. I also believe that our mining laws are archaic and do not work to protect the environment. The Canadian Government recently refused to support a bill which would hold Canadian mining companies to a higher environmental and social standard. Mr. Hawes himself was in favour of dumping toxic mine tailings into Fish Lake. If he read Dr. William Cullen's report on Long Lake near the Quinsam mine he would know that toxins like arsenic become bio-available to shellfish and other aquatic life, so they are not innert. I realize there is no appetite for alternatives to coal, but that doesn't make it right. Our planet is being destroyed by the most dangerous animal, us. The government has shown a reckless disregard for the environment. They should not be surprised that people are starting to push back. No, Mr. Hawes, it is not just about government funds and jobs. We need balance and we need to find sanity as we race to the tipping point for our survival on this planet.

diana schroeder says:
Feb 09, 2011 04:38 PM

"... royalties add hundreds of millions to provincial coffers..."

I would like to know the exact figures. Hundreds of millions? What does that mean? How does that compare to the cost of forest land, water and air quality, seafood, human health and recreation? Who will pay for the upgrades needed to transport this coal and who is responsible for cleaning up the aftermath? There is no profit for the people of B.C.

Eva-Maria Simpson says:
Feb 12, 2011 03:45 PM

I believe that we need to make our government-elected officials responsible for their policies..policies created from viewpoints. Their views need to include scientific and evidentiary fact. The evidence and the science both say inequivocally, that coal mining and coal production are harmful to the environment, which in turn is harmful to all lifeforms, including our own. The measure of that harm increases with human population increase. World population this year will reach 7 billion. 7 billion people, many of whom will want (but not require!) individual transportation, the right to own goods ... for decades we in the "first world" have lived off the privileges we now understand we have to restrict to others .. will we have the courage and fortitude to restrict those things to ourselves? Do we have the determination and the will required to find alternatives to a lifestyle which, up until now, has ben largely carved from the goodwill of the earth? We need to understand our relationship to coal production, not just the environment havoc that production causes.. because we have to find solutions.

Eva-Maria Simpson says:
Feb 12, 2011 03:48 PM

...unequivocally, not "inequivocally" ... been, not "ben" .... environmental havoc, not "environment havoc" please forgive the typos!

Eva-Maria Simpson says:
Feb 12, 2011 04:07 PM

"Surely we agree that BC coal, like all coal, contributes to climate change when burned"

The Minister should be asked whether he agrees to that statement. His response was, "In terms of climate change, I am sure you are aware that it (sic) if mining coal was suspended in BC the world's steel makers would find coal from other sources." In other words, if not here, then somewhere else, right? He continues "Many of those sources have little or no environmental standards and poor worker safety records." Okay, my question is, what are our environmental standards, and how do they differ from those abroad? My first instinct, when I think about the infamous tar sands of this country is that I think this statement is a bluff. Do we have evidence of truth in what he says or not? He goes on, "How do you think that benefits either BC or global warming?" Does this mean that he believes global warming is at least partially a man-made event? Because if it does mean that, then perhaps he is willing to be seen in history as a hero. Or not.

Eva-Maria Simpson says:
Feb 12, 2011 04:38 PM

Sorry, thinking aloud. In my opinion, being a hero is advocating for the environment, and living it, and really, I think in the minister's position in government, that's impossible. Taking his own philosophy and extending it, he is also replaceable.. if not him, then someone else. Coal mining will likely continue in this province as long as there's a demand for coal and the buck to made from coal is greater than the buck to be made from an environmentally-neutral alternative.. if there is one. Surely we can come close.
Some people think we already have all the steel we need, it's already here in the environment. Is that true?

Eva-Maria Simpson says:
Feb 13, 2011 09:21 AM

I understand that China plans to spend $800 billion a year for the next ten years to develop green technologies.
What are Canada's plans? If we care about life on earth, if we care at all about the quality of the lives of our children and their children, too, then we have to act. Only the will is required.
Egypt overthrew a dictatorship in less than two weeks, simply by gathering in numbers and refusing to go home. We live in a democracy and we should believe that we have at least the same amount of power....but we're unwilling to invest in a commitment to use our power. We can change things. The will and the belief are required, as well as the numbers. I believe the will and the numbers can be roused with education about how dire our situation really is.

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