Alberta-based company West Coast Olefins is once again proposing to make Prince George the home for the construction of a 5.6 billion dollar petrochemical plant. Last May, CEO Ken James determined that the majority of the Prince George residents were not in favour of the plant and agreed to move the proposed site elsewhere. However, on December 15th, James publicly revoked this decision after failing to secure the support of the Indigenous communities impacted. The proposed Prince George site would sit just 2 km from the residential area of Lower College Heights. James announced that West Coast Olefins has reached out to the Environmental Assessment Office (EAO), hoping for approval to begin construction in late 2021 or early 2022.

Too Close 2 Home is a movement that emerged in response to these proposals. The group consists of nearly 700 actively involved members who are expressing a number of concerns through various media outlets. 

Dr. Annie Booth is an environmental sustainability professor at UNBC and member of Too Close 2 Home. Dr. Booth, like many informed residents, is concerned about the lack of clarity from West Coast Olefins as well as the environmental and social impacts, including worsening Prince George’s already damaged air-shed. Advocates for the plant argue that the proposed sites will create jobs, estimating between 2000 and 3000 during the two years of construction and another 1,000 long term, but details on the nature of these jobs are sparse and the company has not indicated if they plan to hire Prince George residents. Much of the financial draw for West Coast Olefins is potential exports to Asia. Further concerns for the Too Close 2 Home members include the impact on Prince George’s aquifers, micro-plastics, toxicity for workers, and more. As the City of Prince George is yet to hold a public consultation, Dr. Booth says the group plans to organize one in the near future.

Listen to the interview on CFUR-FM: