4 News WWW.PGCITIZEN.CA | FRIDAY, JUNE 10, 2011 FORESTRY Sawmill restarted to spur pellet project Kitwanga facility to provide material for what would be northern B.Cs seventh pellet plant Gordon HOEKSTRA Citizen staff ghoekstra@pgcitizen.ca Pacific BioEnergy is restarting a sawmill in northwest B.C. on Monday, a planned precursor to building a new wood pellet mill near the site. The pellet plant is meant to be modeled on Pacific BioEnergy’s existing operation in Prince George, which uses residuals from sawmills like wood shavings and sawdust, and logging waste, to manufacture wood pellets, said company vicepresident Brad Bennett. The soon-to-be-opened sawmill in Kitwanga is meant to provide the raw waste material for the pellet plant, which is still in the midst of site selection and engineering. “We are still pretty focused on bringing [the pellet plant] together. The timing we’re not real firm on yet, but we’re spending money to make it happen,” said Bennett. The wood pellet plant, if it’s built at Kitwanga, 480 kilometres west of Prince George, would be the seventh pellet plant in northern B.C. There are also wood pellet plants in Quesnel, Strathnaver, Vanderhoof, Houston and Burns Lake. Most pellets produced in northern B.C. are exported overseas, to satisfy a demand for low-carbon energy. Wood pellets are considered a green source of energy be- cause they come from forests that will be re-grown, making them a more carbon-neutral fuel source. Wood pellets are made from residual wood like dry shavings, sawdust and even bark. Historically, the residuals have come from sawmills, but more recently, they also include the left-overs from logging. The sawmill start-up in northwest B.C. is also significant because it will be only the second manufacturing facility to operate in a vast area west of Smithers following a series of mill closures in the past decade. There are no large operating sawmills in the area, and West Fraser’s linerboard plan in Kitimat, which employed more than 500 people, was shut down last year. The Kitwanga sawmill, purchased by Pacific Bioenergy in 2009 out of receivership, will employ 45 people on a one-shift basis. The only other operating mill in the area is a small venture producing railway ties. Bennett said Pacific BioEnergy is excited about re-opening a mill in an area hit hard in recent years by closures. He noted the community already held a celebration to mark the re-opening of the mill. He said he also hopes the pellet plant will fill the role that pulp and paper mills did in the past, creating an economic use for wood waste. CITIZEN PHOTO BY BRENT BRAATEN FOR HUMANITY — The Beaverly Elementary leadership students raised $400 for this year's Habitat for Humanity project on Kenwood Street. Connor Tuftin, 13, presents a cheque to home owners Callista Whyte and Christopher Lawrence with leadership students. The money was raised at a family carnival at the school. Talks stalled between Canada Post and urban workers: management Diana MEHTA The Canadian Press Canada Post says contract talks with its urban workers have stalled, but the union says it’s eager to negotiate. The Canadian Union of Postal Workers, which has been staging rotating strikes across the country since last week, responded to the Crown corporation’s latest proposals Thursday morning, but by evening the post office said the two sides remain far apart on several key issues. “We still have a generous offer on the table, the union’s counter offer is unacceptable,” said Cana- da Post spokesman Jon Hamilton. “They’ve resisted any efforts to reduce cost and help meet the challenges this company is facing.” Canada Post said the union rejected “major compromises” to address sick leave and staffing levels and wouldn’t discuss initiatives that would reduce costs and address the problems of declining mail volumes. “In their latest counter-offer, the union has proposed the same solution to many of the difficult issues on the table - create a committee to study and talk about the issue for the next four years,” said Hamilton. “That, plus more than 50 union demands on the table that would add jobs, increase costs and jeopardize the future of Canada Post, adds up to a step backwards.” Canada Post has said the rotating walkouts have had a disastrous effect on customer confidence and the Crown corporation’s revenue since the first walkout last week. The union contends its response was realistic and offers ways to tackle problems the corporation wasn’t willing to address. “We feel their proposals of doing absolutely nothing about staffing is unacceptable,” said Gerry De-veau, CUPW national director for Ontario. Raid nets gun, drugs, suspect Frank PEEBLES Citizen staff fpeebles@pgcitizen.ca A modified gun and a variety of drugs were seized by police, and one suspect arrested. It was the result of a police group effort, with members of the Prince George RCMP’s Drug Section, Crime Reduction Team, Downtown Enforcement Unit and General Duty Section all working together. The items were found during a Wednesday afternoon search of a house in the 1500 block of Queensway. “During the search, police located and seized a sawed off .22 calibre rifle, numerous rounds of ammunition, and a quantity of marijuana, methamphetamine and unknown pills,” said Prince George RCMP spokesman Cpl. Craig Douglass. A 26-year-old female Prince George resident was arrested at the residence and she now faces multiple charges for weapons and drugs. If you have any information about this or any other criminal offense, please contact the Prince George RCMP at 250-561-3300 or anonymously contact Crime Stoppers at 1-800222-TIPS (8477) or online at www.pgcrimestoppers.bc.ca. Walk for ALS Prince George (Lou Gehrig’s Disease) Eleven-year-old Bryce Wilkinson is overcome with emotion as he hugs his dad, Rick Wilkinson, who suffered from Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis — Lou Gehrig’s disease. Rick lost his life to ALS in February 2005. Darren Stone/Times Colonist ALS takes everything: your mobility, your speech, your money and ultimately your life. Sunday, June 26, 2011 Fort George Park Registration 11:30am - Walk 1:30 -3pm Build your own team or pre-register. Go to: www.walkforals.ca Pledge forms can be picked up at all Mr. G locations SILENT AUCTION FOOD AND REFRESHMENTS ENTERTAINMENT PRIZES FREE ALS T-SHIRT FOR ALL REGISTRANTS f Centre City 1679 15th Ave., Prince George, BC 562-3600 supported by” THE® CITIZEN Burn effort on track Frank PEEBLES Citizen staff Firefighters have raised about $6,500 so far with two weeks still to go before they ride off down Highway 97, biking for burns. The 3rd Annual Prince George Fire Fighters’ Burn Fund Cycle Tour will wheel out on June 24 to Quesnel’s Dragon Lake, then back on June 25. Five firefighters will be making the highway trek. “The Burn Fund provides life saving, life supporting, and life enriching services to people all across British Columbia,” said tour spokesperson Kelly Hender- son. “Funds raised will help benefit burn survivors in Northern B.C. as well as throughout the province.” There are two more events planned for the Burn Fund effort, one of them before the bike tour leaves and one more after they return. • June 18 come to Superstore for a parking lot barbecue from 10:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. • July 9 come to Fire Hall No. 2 for an Open House and by-donation car wash from 10:30 a.m. to 3 p.m. (first 100 vehicles entered for a door prize). No contamination risk to humans in Slave Lake The Canadian Press SLAVE LAKE, Alta. — The Alberta government says that test results from ash samples taken from the burned-out areas of Slave Lake show that contaminant levels do not present a risk to human health. Alberta Health Services is still advising residents to use caution when entering burned-out areas, ensuring contact with the ash and debris is minimized. Dr. Kathryn Koliaska, medical officer of health, says it’s important for people to protect themselves from tripping and falling into the ash. People returning to their devastated homes in Slave Lake had been told last week to sign waivers while the province checked for heavy metals and toxins in the fire-scarred town’s soil. Mayor Karina Pillay-Kinnee said at the time the waivers would shield the municipal government from blame if anyone was injured while visiting devastated neighbourhoods. STEAKHQySE APPETIZER Classic Crab Cakes Beef & Tarragon Horseradish Crostinis Lobster Gratinee Grilled Asparagus MAIN AH mains include your choice of signature stuffed potato, OieCs potato or basmati rice pita f and seasonal fresh saut£ed vegetables Filet Mignon with Fig Merlot Glaze Pistachio Crusted Filet Mignon Shrimp & Crar Cognac Sirloin Sirloin Steak & Nova Lobster Tail Sure’N Turf Nf.w York Stfak & Prawn Dianne Peppercorn & Mushroom New York Port & Mustard Rebeye Dry Ruhred R ire ye DESSERT Chocolate Velvet Cake Peanut Butter Cheesecake \ Rlc's Grill serves only Sterling Silver steaks, premium AAA Alberta beef, hand carved daily to strict house standards, Stertirtg Silver PREMIUM HEAls P.G. IN BRIEF Forest convention in P.G. The Council of Forest Industries annual convention returns to Prince George this fall after a four-year absence. The convention alternates each year between Prince George and Kelowna. However the convention slated for Prince George in 2009 was cancelled. This year’s convention is scheduled for Sept. 15-16. Traditionally one of the largest forestry gatherings in western Canada, this year’s theme and title is Recovery, Transformation and Renewal. The council said a developing program of presenters will speak to critical issues facing the global forest industry, including responding to new global economic forces and Pacific Rim markets. Also on the program will be an examination of wood as a green building material and the potential of the bioenergy sector. B.C. Forests Minister Steve Thomson is slated to give a keynote address. Seats left for KISS There’s only about 100 left but they are excellent seats right next to the stage for the KISS concert June 29, said Glen Mikkelsen, entertainment and marketing supervisor at CN Centre. Stage requirements have been finalized and that’s opened up those seats. They can be bought through all Ticketmaster outlets. Aium PRINCE GEORGE ASSOCIATION FOR COMMUNITY LIVING 54th Annual General Meeting Monday, June 27th, 2011 950 Kerry Street Prince George, BC 5:00 pm Membership Registration 5:30 pm Annual General Meeting Refreshments Provided Get into the 547 George Street I www.rk5grill.com I 250.614.9096 Driver's Seat Only in Thursday's Citizen!