ALASKA HIGHWAY NEWS
A6 | NEWS | THURSDAY, APRIL 16, 2020 Application No. 106546
ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION NOTICE
Amendment for a Permit Under The Provisions of the Environmental Management Act I, Ms. Jill Salus, Team Lead, Facilities, for Petronas Energy Canada Ltd., (1600, 215, 2 St SW, Calgary, AB, T2P 1M4), intend to submit this amendment to the Director, Environmental Stewardship Group, at the Oil and Gas Commission to authorize the changes of discharge regarding the air emissions from a compressor station. The amended sources of air emissions are: • • • • • • • • • •
Two Waukesha L5794 LT Compressor Engines (1081 kW each, existing), Two Waukesha L7042 GL Compressor Engines (1104 kW each, existing), Three Caterpillar G3608 LE Compressor Engines (1767 kW each, 1 existing, 2 new), Four Cummins GTA855E Turbo Generators (175 kW each, one back-up, 3 existing, 1 new), One Mitsubishi S6R-Y2PTAW-1 Generator (600 kW, existing, water plant use only), Four Propak Glycol Regenerators for dehydration (200 kW each, 3 existing, 1 new), One Condensate Stabilizer (777 kW, new), One emergency high pressure flare (including a purge only, Flaretech, replacement) One continuous low pressure flare (including a pilot only), Flaretech, replacement) Other equipment including still column vent tank, flash tanks, condensate tanks, and produced water tanks.
The land upon which the facility is situated and the discharge occurs is d-59-J/94-B-16, located at (surface location NAD 83) Latitude 56° 57’ 54.0” North; and Longitude 122° 13’ 34.8” West; located within the Town Field, approximately 139 km northwest of Fort St. John (driving distances). The total volume of gas through-put processed by this facility will be increased from 2,124,000 m3/day (24.58 m3/s) to approximately 2,830,000 m3/day (32.75 m3/s). Two compressors, one generator, one dehydrator, and one condensate stabilizer will be added for this expansion, included above. A second motor-driven vapor-recovery unit will also be added. The existing flaring system will be replaced with a larger capacity to accommodate this expansion. All equipment will continue to combust sweet gas (0.0% H2S). The maximum rate of air emissions discharged from this facility will now be approximately 9.69 g/s NOx, 19.62 g/s CO, 0.58 g/s PM, and 6.75 g/s VOC, during an emergency facility blow-down (for approximately 30 minutes, 3 times per year). Continuous average daily emissions rates, cumulatively produced from equipment, will now be approximately 5.04 g/s NOx, 10.34 g/s CO, 0.22 g/s PM, and 1.32 g/s VOC. The operating period for this facility is 24 hours/day, 7 days/week with one week of shut down for turn around each year. Any person who may be adversely affected by the proposed discharge of waste and wishes to provide relevant information may, within 30 days after the last date of posting, publishing, service or display, send written comments to the applicant, with a copy to the Director, Environmental Stewardship Group, Oil and Gas Commission at Bag 2, Fort St. John, BC V1J 2B0. The identity of any respondents and the contents of anything submitted in relation to this application will become part of the public record. Dated this 8 day of April, 2020.
(Signature)
Contact person: Jill Salus, Team Lead, Facilities
Telephone No.: (403) 216-2510
Dr. Henry on Peace Villa concerns Continued from the front page De Smit acknowledged the threshold for declaring an outbreak at a care home is very low – a single identified staff or resident case. “But - it is important to note that the definition of a staff case is that a staff member is diagnosed with COVID-19 and had worked in the facility during their infectious (or communicable) period, potentially exposing other staff or residents,” De Smit said. “To date, we have had no cases meeting that criteria, and therefore no facilitybased outbreaks in the NH region.” Individuals can choose to report their COVID-19 diagnosis, but the health authority cannot, De Smit said. “While individuals may choose to disclose their own personal health information - we as a health authority are bound by strict privacy measures and legislation to protect information about any individual cases, unless there is a public health reason (such as a facility outbreak, or public exposure) to do otherwise,” De Smit said. “Staff and resident confidentiality, and the trust placed in us to protect it, is integral to the services we provide.” Dr. Bonnie Henry did not provide much details about the case when asked during her daily briefing on Saturday, April 11. “Northern Health is working very closely with the First Nations Health Authority, and individual cases we will not, and I will not, and I con-
tinue to not report on personal health information for individuals. If the family decided they wanted to release information about one of their family members then that is something they can do, of course,” Dr. Henry said. “I know Northern Health is very involved in ensuring that all of the longterm care homes in the north have the appropriate protocols in place to protect our residents and our health care workers. “As well, I know that the single site order, as we said our primary focus was on the Lower Mainland and so that’s where it started to roll out first, and I know they’re working on it in Northern Health as well. “But it takes time for those things. As we just talked about, we want to make sure there are no facilities left short in the assigning of people, and so it has to be done in a thoughtful and deliberate way.” Read ‘STOMP OUT’ on A14
B.C. loses 132k jobs in March, northeast 300, as pandemic takes toll The first punch of the pandemic left B.C. with 132,000 fewer jobs in March, with much of the shock felt in the Lower Mainland and Vancouver Island. But data released April 9 reveals the worst is yet to come. Statistics Canada emphasized in its monthly release that its Labour Force Survey
was conducted March 15 to 21 — before much of the pandemic’s impact on the job market had been realized. The official data shows B.C.’s unemployment rate climbed 2.2 percentage points to reach 7.2% in March. In the northeast, there were an estimated 39,000 people employed here last month,
down just 300 from February, and up by more than 1,300 from March 2019. While the unemployment rate was too low to be reported here in February, it was pegged at 4.2% for March. Meanwhile, Canada as a whole lost 1,011,000 jobs, driving the unemployment rate up 2.2 percentage points
to reach 7.8%. The feds said 4.26 million Canadians had applied for various forms of emergency of unemployment assistance. The actual numbers for March, which won’t become clear until next month, are grimmer than what Statistics Canada’s data can reflect based on the period its sur-
vey was conducted. In B.C., jobs in wholesale and retail trade plunged by 40,100 positions, while accommodation and food services saw 36,400 jobs lost. The construction sector saw 6,200 fewer jobs, while forestry, fishing, mining, and oil and gas saw 500 fewer jobs month over month.
New school construction Matt Preprost editor@ahnfsj.ca Construction continues at the new Anne Roberts Young elementary school, with school district officials reporting no significant delays during the COVID-19 pandemic. The District says there are less than 50 contractors on site at a time, and that different trades attend in shifts. “We are following the provincial construction guidelines carefully and thoroughly,” said Secretary Treasurer Brenda Hooker. The school district is still aiming for summer completion and September startup, while education programming is full steam ahead. Principal Broyden Bennett and his future staff continue their preparations, according to Superintendent Stephen Petrucci. Meanwhile, the school district has announced the school’s team name will be the Anne Roberts Young Rockies, and the school colours are blue, black and silver. The two-storey, $31.1-million school is being built on 112 Avenue across from the hospital, and will include seats for 505 students, as well as a neighbourhood learning centre, a daycare, and multi-purpose spaces for community use. The school is named after after Anne Roberts Young, the first registered nurse in the North Peace.
ALASKA HIGHWAY NEWS
THURSDAY, APRIL 16, 2020 | NEWS | A7
SENIORS HALL Bird watching I phoned Nelda Bennett last week to check on what birds she was seeing at her feeders. It was the usual chickadees, red polls, and juncos. She had two woodpeckers -one hairy and one downy. Six ruffed grouse have been using her daily grain handout. When I asked about owls, Nelda had a story. She sent me a picture of a huge horned owl clutching a muskrat. The owl had been killed when it perched beside the transformer near Nelda’s house to finish its muskrat 5 a.m. lunch. That put Nelda’s power out. It was the hydro workers who discovered the owl and brought
COURT DOCKET Sentences from provincial court in Prince George, March 27 to April 9, for offences committed in Fort St. John and Fort Nelson: Fort St John • Douglas Verne Goodings (born 1971) was ordered to provide a DNA sample, sentenced to 465 days in jail, and handed a mandatory lifetime firearms ban for robbery. Goodings was also found guilty of disguising his face with intent to commit offence, possessing a weapon for a dangerous purpose, and breach of undertaking, with no jail time sought. Goodings was further found guilty of breaking and entering, fleeing from police, and assaulting a peace officer. No jail time was sought, but DNA samples were ordered. • Ashiek Edward Bell (1981) was ordered to provide a DNA sample and handed one year of probation for uttering threats and mischief to property over $5,000. No jail time was sought. Bell was exempt from paying a victim surcharge. Bell was also found guilty of possessing weapon for dangerous purpose, with no jail time and an exemption to pay a victim surcharge. • Jared Benjamin Anton (born 1991) was handed a 12-month probation order for assault with a weapon. No victim surcharge or jail time was sought. Anton was also found guilty of breaching probation, with no jail time sought. • Jason Matthew Farquhar (born 1990) was sentenced to a single day in jail and ordered to pay a $100 victim surcharge for possession of a firearm contrary to court order. The firearm was forfeited. • Jordan Blake Stoney (born 1998) was handed six months of probation with a conditional discharge and ordered to pay a $100 victim surcharge for breach of undertaking. Stoney was also found guilty of breaching probation and breach of undertaking with no jail time sought and victim surcharge exemption for both. Fort Nelson • Brandon Starling Needlay (born 1988) was sentenced to nine days in jail for breach of undertaking. • Marcus Richard Mearow (born 1997) was denied a DNA application and sentenced to seven days in jail for assault with a weapon and breaching a release order. No victim surcharge was sought.
it down with a telescoping stick. Nelda is an artist as well as a bird watcher and her paintings of owls show her first-hand knowledge.
The Hygge Manifesto
CNIB programs
1. Atmosphere: turn down the lights.
The CNIB was planning on coming to Fort St. John on April 16 to explain how technology can help the blind and visually impaired. Now they will be helping people online. A complete list of all Virtual Programs for BC is available on the CNIB website. Alternately, you can google CNIB Canada and go to programs and services. I learned there that people registered with CNIB can get a free smart phone. If you have questions you can phone CNIB toll free at 1-800-563-2642.
is no need to brag about your achievements.
From The Little Book of Hygge: by Meik Wiking
7. Comfort: Get comfy. Take a break. It’s all about relaxation.
2. Presence: Be here now. Turn off the phone. 3. Pleasure: Coffee, chocolate, cookies, cakes, candy. Gimme! Gimme! Gimme! 4. Equality: ‘We’ over ‘me’. Share the tasks and the airtime. 5. Gratitude: Take it in. This might be as good as it gets. 6. Harmony: It’s not a competition. We already like you. There
8. Truce: No drama. Let’s discuss politics another day. 9. Togetherness: Build relationships and narratives. ‘Do you remember the time we…?’ Did you know? Fort St. John residential garbage collection is now weekly, but the collection day is not changed. On the weeks when you put both carts out you must put them 2 meters apart. Recycling carts are still bi-weekly. — Ruby McBeth
Collaboration, school spirit in the time of COVID I’m writing to your publication to express my gratitude for everyone working across the K-12 education system in B.C. – teachers, support staff, principals and vice-principals, trustees, superintendents and– for the incredible work you are all doing for B.C. kids while in-class learning is suspended to prevent the spread of COVID-19. We all want certainty during this unprecedented time -- here in B.C. and around the world. Although this is new territory for all of us, British Columbians can be reassured that there is an enormous level of collaboration going on between all K-12 education partners. The B.C. education system is unique compared to other parts of the country and all of our education partners agree that our collaborative approach is the best way to recognize
the diversity of students in our province. Each school needs to support vulnerable children, those with special needs, kids who rely on meal programs, students who live in remote or urban regions, children whose first language isn’t English or French, or kids who may need assistance with internet or technology. The Ministry of Education has a dedicated team supporting districts with their planning, ensuring everyone is using common guidelines – including health and safety guidelines. School districts and independent school authorities have been asked to put in place learning opportunities for students as soon as practically possible. All plans must ensure a healthy and safe environment for all students, families and employees; provide the services needed to support children of our essential workers; support
vulnerable students who may need special assistance; and provide continuity of educational opportunities for all students. To make sure no student slips through the cracks, we’re providing steady leadership and a measured, collaborative approach. Right now in the fight against COVID-19, we need to come together and support each other so we can do what’s best for B.C. kids and their families. It’s in this spirit that schools throughout B.C. are doing an extraordinary job rolling out their plans. I am proud of B.C.’s education professionals who are working so hard together to ensure each student and family’s individual needs are supported. Rob Fleming, Minister of Education
ALASKA HIGHWAY NEWS
A8 | SPORTS | THURSDAY, APRIL 16, 2020
Hope, however fleeting is great, even for the world of sports
I
t’s now been more than a month since the COVID-19 pandemic really started to affect daily life. Many of us are now slowly getting used to the new way of doing things and are expecting another couple months of the same before it turns around. But one thing that does continue to be a welcome relief from all the speculation and negativity is talk about the return of sports. Most fans are hoping their favourite leagues come back sooner than later, but still aren’t expecting them to anytime soon. When reports surfaced last week that the MLB was strongly considering a plan to return to action in May, and that the NBA and PGA were preparing contingency plans, sports fans were understandably confused and thought it was too soon. After all, we’ve been hearing nothing but doom for the past three weeks, and are expecting the worst.
However, it seems to me we can all agree that it would be great if sports were able to return, and return sooner rather than later. I’m talking May or June instead of August or September. Whether that’s possible remains unclear, and to me, that’s another conversation. But I see absolutely nothing wrong with preparing plans, talking about them, and even slightly lifting our hopes. Our lives are changing daily, and so each day that we can wake up knowing there is something we can look forward to in a month or two is important and valuable. Unfortunately, many people have a problem with this. Whether it’s talking with a friend, listening to sports radio, or reading social media, there are as many who believe that to discuss the return of sports is foolish and irresponsible. This is unfortunate because it just adds more discouragement and pessim-
DILLON GIANCOLA ism to the mix. In the end, if sports don’t return until September, or if life doesn’t return to normal until 2021, we’ll be OK and we’ll find a way forward. We’ve made it this far. However, we’ve done so weeks at a time. When all sports were cancelled, that was done without any knowledge of how long this would all last. If we were told then that our lives absolutely would not return to normal until 2021, we all would have had a really hard time coping. In times like these, where the next week is uncertain let alone the next few months, it’s unnecessary to limit possibilities and make decisions with certainty. This column is about the return of sports, but the message applies to every-
Provincial parks closed BC Parks announced the immediate closing of all provincial parks on April 8 in response to pleas for increased action due to COVID-19. Camping is banned until May 31, and all parks, protected areas, conservancies, and recreation areas are closed to the public. “Many parks have already experienced peak season levels of use that have resulted in overwhelmed parking lots, trails and trailheads, making physical distancing difficult, if not possible in some locations,” BC Parks said. “It has also resulted in damage to our facilities and the environment.” The public are prohibited from accessing parks , by vehicle or on foot, until further notice. This includes accessing trails, roads, dayuse areas, lakes, and boat launches. “Because physical distancing works, it is critical that we take every action needed to restrict the spread of COVID-19. This applies to British Columbians and out-of-province visitors who were planning to visit or stay at our provincial parks. The message is clear: stay home, avoid travel, do not put yourself or others at risk,” said Environment Minister
George Heyman, adding he understands the love British Columbians have for the outdoors and that the ministry tried to make visiting the parks a safe way for people to get exercise and enjoy the fresh air, but that “it has proven too challenging to maintain safe distance between visitors.” For bookings up to May 31, refunds will be issued automatically. Regional parks update The PRRD says it is seeking advice from the province before opening regional parks for the camping season. The regional district operates five regional parks, including two day-use parks and three overnight parks. The parks are currently closed for the winter, but usually open from mid-May through September. “The Peace River Regional District values the safety of our residents and park guests above all else. We will be working closely with the Province to determine if and when it is safe for PRRD regional parks to open for the season.”
thing in our lives right now. It just so happens that it’s the sports leagues that have been thinking about starting up operations again before other industries and services. I’m well aware we might not get an MLB season, that I might not get to go play a round of 18 this summer, and that the Stanley Cup probably won’t be presented. But I’m also aware that neither I, nor the NHL or MLB officials who make these decisions, have any clue what’s actually going to happen. And hope, however fleeting, is a great thing. When I was first trying to get used to the idea of a world without sports, I did so by convincing myself that most leagues would be back by mid-April. Now that it’s mid-April, I realize how silly that was, but it doesn’t matter because it helped me to adapt. I couldn’t believe MLB was actually considering a comeback in May, but I also know I would absolutely
watch if they did. I don’t care if there are no fans, if the energy feels lacking, or if the season-format has changed — something is better than nothing. The concern everyone seems to have is that it might not be safe for leagues to return, both professionally and locally. That’s valid, but there’s no reason to think these leagues will return if it’s unsafe and if they’re putting people at risk. Call me naive, but these billion-dollar leagues have all lost more than a month in revenue so far and we didn’t think that would ever happen. That’s because they are following the rules. But exhausting every option is a good thing. Keeping things open-ended is fine. I understand the worry, and that some people are more comfortable with certainty. Unfortunately, right now, absolutely nothing is certain. sports@ahnfsj.ca
Mike Vandekamp returns to Storm Dillon Giancola sports@ahnfsj.ca Mike Vandekamp is returning to the Peace region. The Fort St. John native signed a three-year deal to return to the Grande Prairie Storm as general manager and head coach after nine years away. Vandekamp managed and coached the Storm for four seasons from 2007 to 2011. He was also the director of operations for the first three of those seasons. Under Vandekamp, the Storm were very successful, winning the AJHL championship in 2009, and going 154-72-19 during his tenure. The team has struggled mightily since Vandekamp left and both the team and its new head coach are hoping this reunion will result in a return to the top of the standings. The Storm finished fifth in the
AJHL’s North Division each of the past two years, after a stretch of last or second-last place finishes following Vandekamp’s departure in 2011. Vandekamp left the Storm to become the head coach and general manager of the BCHL’s Nanaimo Clippers, a position he held for seven seasons. The Clippers made the playoffs six of the seven seasons Vandekamp was there, winning the division twice and losing in the BCHL finals in the 2014-15 season to the Penticton Vees. He spent the last two seasons as general manager and coach of the Cowichan Valley Capitals of the BCHL. The team hovered around .500, with a record of 52-52-10-3 during that time. The 2020-21 season will be Vandekamp’s 26th as a junior hockey coach.
NOTE TO READERS History columnist Larry Evans is taking a break from writing during the COVID-19 pandemic.
— Dillon Giancola
Read past articles at alaskahighwaynews.ca
A10 | CLASSIFIEDS | THURSDAY, APRIL 16, 2020
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