I read in the newspaper that Yukon Energy is “full speed ahead” and “it’s full smoke” as the clearing of the site for the liquefied natural gas generators along Robert Service Way got underway recently.
While many people were enjoying the beauty, excitement and hospitality of Atlin and its First Nation-owned hydro power, Yukon Energy threw up the fences and started murdering trees in preparation for burning fracked natural gas from B.C. It was a grim site to see when we returned from our lovely weekend.
People have asked me, “What can we do? Where is the protest? Why aren’t you in front of the bulldozers like you promised?”
I am writing this letter to reassure Yukon people and remind Yukon Energy that the LNG generators cannot be constructed without an energy project certificate that needs to be issued by Justice Minister Mike Nixon. As far as I know this has not happened and the probable reason why is because there is a petition before the Supreme Court of the Yukon to have the whole Yukon Utilities Board hearing and report on the project made null and void.
This petition was submitted to the court on June 11 by Skeeter Wright (no relation), and asks for the relief sought because the utilities board was prevented from viewing pertinent documents that would have countered Yukon Energy’s evidence that natural gas prices would stay lower than oil for the next 30 years. The petition will be heard on Aug. 6. In the meantime, Yukon Energy’s lawyers are working hard to get it thrown out, and there will be a hearing about that at 10 a.m. on July 24. These hearings are open to the public.
The underlying and overarching issue here is trust. Energy touches all parts of a Yukoner’s life and we need to have trust in our regulator, the utilities board and our company Yukon Energy, that this process is fair, open and transparent.
My life’s work is the pursuit of justice, and I refuse to break the law and lie in front of the bulldozers until I have no other option. Right now, this petition, SC#14-AP002 is the only thing stopping me.
Sally Wright
Kluane Lake