The citizens of the Fraser Valley in Britich Columbia can finally breathe easier knowing that SE2 will not likely ever be built. I believe in clean energy, but this was the wrong place for this proposed natural gas power plant.

Sumas Energy 2 Will Not Appeal Canadian Court Decision

…While we continue to strongly believe in the need for this facility and our legal right to construct and operate it, we have concluded that it is in our best interest not to file an appeal of the recent court decision. The decision not to appeal is due in part to the high cost of obtaining permits in today’s regulatory environment, and to current market conditions including the high cost of natural gas and the slowness of utilities to commit to future long-term power supplies…

Sincerely,

Chuck Martin
Sumas Energy 2

Needless to say, the residents of the Fraser Valley who have fought long and hard for 6 years to stop the project are thrilled and relieved beyond words. We are hoping this is the end of SE2, but should it come back, we will be ready. This is a victory for all Canadians as it was a precedent setting case. This is also a victory for the many Americans who have been fighting long and hard with us, side by side. We are looking forward to getting our lives back. There will be a party in Abbotsford to celebrate!”

Patricia Ross
Deputy Mayor,
City of Abbotsford.

You can visit BC MLA Barry Penner’s SE2 webpage here, and you might also want to check in on the SE2 Gasp website, if you are new to this issue.

While in Charlottetown in September 2005 during the 100 MPG Challenge, I had the opportunity to talk about SE2 and other concerns with MP Shawn Murphy. Here is Shawn and his wife being presented with a Pure Canada Foundation ‘NO SE2′ t-shirt:

Visit Pure Canada for more information.

Here’s a couple photos from November 7th, 2005, the first day of the federal court case in Vancouver where the NEB decision was appealed by SE2.

I rode into Vancouver on the charter bus with John Vissers and George Ferguson, along with students from UCFV to take part in the rally, which received excellent media coverage. MLA Barry Penner, MP Randy White, City of Abbotsford Mayor Mary Reeves, and City of Abbotsford Councillor Patricia Ross were present at the rally, and each gave interviews.

Those who were there will remember John’s rallying:

What did YOU say?
What did the City of Abbotsford say?
What did the residents of the Fraser Valley say?
What did Whatcom County say?
What did British Columbia say?
What did Canada say?
What did the National Energy Board say?
What will the Supreme Court of Canada say?
What part of NO doesn’t SE2 understand?