PRINCE GEORGE – A new proposal to burn coal and increase greenhouse gas emissions puts Gordon Campbell’s integrity on climate change to the test, NDP Leader Carole James said today.

The proposed industrial lime plant in Giscome BC, 27 kilometres north of Prince George, will burn enough coal to produce 783,755 tonnes of carbon dioxide per year and increase BC’s total province wide greenhouse gas emissions by 1.1 per cent.

“Gordon Campbell promised to stop conventional coal burning and reduce greenhouse gases,” said James. “This project forces the Premier to answer a simple question: Did he mean what he said about reducing greenhouse gases? Or is it simply another empty promise?”

Last February, the Premier said in the Speech from the Throne, that “effective immediately, British Columbia will become the first jurisdiction in North America to require 100 per cent carbon sequestration for any coal-fired project.”

But, James said this week the environment ministry and Prince George Liberal MLAs refused to confirm whether the premier’s promise applies to this proposal.

“Soon after Gordon Campbell announced he was concerned about global warming, many people started to question his true commitment,” said James. “His first climate change target isn’t until 2020. And his latest budget cut funding for alternative energy.

“I doubt that Gordon Campbell will interrupt his planned photo-op with the Governor of California to explain to him or British Columbians why old technology coal-fired projects are still moving ahead in BC.

“British Columbia needs a real climate change plan with targets that start this year, not thirteen years from now,” said James. “And we need the Premier to keep his promise to stop burning dirty coal.”