FortisBC's toxic water pollution
May 15, 2024
Rhiannon Fox
The BC Energy Regulator has approved FortisBC's permits to discharge toxic construction effluent at both ends of its nine-kilometer tunnel from the BC Rail site in Squamish to the Woodfibre site.
Unsurprisingly, the agency ignored the recommendations from our two experts, who have warned that this could result in cumulative, long-term toxic effects for wildlife and ecosystems in Átl’ḵa7tsem / Howe Sound.
Last month, we filed a fourth Notice of Appeal with the Environmental Appeal Board to cancel these permits, alongside three Squamish residents.
Can you chip in to help pay for legal fees, expert peer review, access to information, and dedicated staff time to support this new legal action?
CHIP IN TO SUPPORT OUR LEGAL ACTIONS*******
Four legal actions!
This is a monumental challenge for a small non-profit. We're not only taking on the gas giant, FortisBC, but we're taking on the provincial regulator as well.
When we first challenged the temporary permits, the BC Energy Regulator and FortisBC used stalling tactics, arguing that My Sea to Sky as a society does not have the right to challenge these approvals.
Now that the permanent permits have been issued, the temporary permits are considered "moot" which means the Environmental Appeal Board won't consider them, and we have to start all over again.
This sets a very dangerous precedent whereby the regulator and the gas utility that it is meant to regulate can sidestep the law by issuing temporary permits, then stall until the permanent permits are issued.
This is burning through our resources, which is why we're making an urgent ask for your support.
CHIP IN TO SUPPORT OUR LEGAL ACTIONS*******
FortisBC must follow the law
We are doing everything we can to hold the BC Energy Regulator and FortisBC to account, and make sure they follow the law.
Tunneling is about to begin on FortisBC's nine-kilometer tunnel under the Squamish estuary. FortisBC has told Squamish Nation members that once the boring machine starts tunneling under the Squamish estuary, it can't be stopped.
We can't let them get away with this. That's why we have partnered with the Sunshine Coast Conservation Association to overturn project approvals for Woodfibre LNG and FortisBC, and hold the Federal and Provincial governments to account.
More than 300 generous donors have raised over $91,321.28 to support our legal actions so far, but we’re still $8,678.72 short of our original fundraising goal. Can you chip in?
Every donation will be matched by a wonderful local donor.
CHIP IN TO SUPPORT OUR LEGAL ACTIONS*******
Love where you live. Defend what you love.
We cannot allow FortisBC to pollute Átl’ḵa7tsem / Howe Sound.
We are witnessing the incredible recovery of Átl’ḵa7tsem / Howe Sound, as the herring and salmon and whales return to these precious waters. Our communities have worked too hard for too long to clean up the toxic legacies of past industrial pollution to let this fossil fuel company put it all at risk.
Please chip in to defend what you love. Every donation helps.
With determination,
Rhiannon Fox
Campaign Coordinator
My Sea to Sky
My Sea to Sky is incredibly proud and grateful to say that we rely on the My Sea to Sky community for small donations that provide the majority of our funding. Since our launch in 2014, we have been funded through personal savings, family and friends; and powered by the passion of our volunteers. Your generous contribution will help us to run our critical campaigns to defend, protect, and restore Howe Sound. Can you chip in?