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pellet plant

Lavington residents skeptical of pellet plant testing

VERNON - Some local residents continue to ask questions about a wood pellet plant in Lavington. The group Lavington is for Everyone (LIFE) issued a media release earlier this week stating there is still no scientific evidence of air quality improvement at the plant. That’s at odds with the results of a mandatory test conducted...

Lavington pellet plant emissions ‘like night and day’

VERNON - The company behind a controversial wood pellet plant in Lavington says it has drastically reduced emissions. Pinnacle Renewable Energy Group president Leroy Reitsma says the results of third-party testing by McCall Environmental show emissions are down 83 per cent thanks to new technology. “What we’re running at compared to what we used to...

Lavington pellet plant could be operating in the next school year

LAVINGTON - A pellet plant will be up and running in Lavington within the year, says the president of Pinnacle Renewable Energy Group.  According to Leroy Reitsma, site preparation work is underway and will wrap up in roughly 10-15 weeks. After that, the company will apply for a building permit and start constructing the plant,...

Lavington pellet plant opposers push politicians to stall project

COLDSTREAM - Now that the Ministry of Environment has granted a permit to the operators of a proposed wood pellet plant in Lavington, opponents of the project are increasing pressure on local politicians to stall construction. Representatives of Lavington Is For Everyone (LIFE) will go before Coldstream council tonight, Jan. 12, to ask the municipality...

Lavington’s ongoing battle against a proposed pellet plant

CONCERNED CITIZENS TO REQUEST ENVIRONMENTAL ASSESSMENT AND JUDICIAL REVIEW VERNON - When Lavington resident Geoffrey Nielsen attended a town hall meeting about a proposed pellet plant in the small North Okanagan community, he brought an open mind. The mechanical engineer and father says he was even leaning in favour of it. Then he read the...

Ministry of Environment won’t research proposed Lavington pellet plant

VERNON - The only public consultation and technical information the Ministry of Environment will review as part of its approval process for a pellet plant in Lavington will come from the proponent of the project itself. According to the Ministry, it conducts no further research or discussion with stakeholders in cases such as this, but...

Vernon school board won’t support Lavington pellet plant

VERNON - A proposed pellet plant in Lavington doesn’t have the support of the Vernon school district. In a letter to the Ministry of Environment, board chair Bill Turanski said the board received conflicting information about the project. “The board’s primary concern must, in every case, be the health and welfare of the students and...

School board contemplates decision on Lavington pellet plant

VERNON - The Vernon school board will soon let the Ministry of Environment know how it feels about a proposed pellet plant. Trustees received input from those in favour of the project and those against, and are now preparing to send their recommendations to the Ministry. Pinnacle Renewable Energy president Leroy Reitsma presented to the...

Public meeting will focus on teacher strike, proposed Lavington plant

VERNON - A special meeting set for tonight will focus on two topics that have been in the news lately: The teacher strike and a proposed pellet plant in Lavington. The special meeting, called specifically by the school district to address the two issues, starts at 6 p.m. Wednesday at the board office on 15...

Proposed Lavington pellet plant moves forward

COLDSTREAM - A controversial pellet plant has overcome a significant hurdle. Pinnacle Renewable Energy and Tolko Industries have the go ahead to rezone the land intended for the plant though it wasn’t an easy, or unanimous decision for Coldstream council. Third reading of the rezoning bylaw scraped through deliberations with four councillors voting in favour...