Energy and Mines News:

Environmental Review Tribunal: Wind Turbines Do Not Pose Health Risk
On Monday, July 18, the Environmental Review Tribunal delivered its ruling in Erickson v. MOE. It found against the appellants who stood in opposition to the Suncor Kent Breeze Wind project. The Tribunal held that the appellants had failed to provide sufficient evidence to show that the low frequency sound generated by wind turbines will cause serious harm to human health. In the decision, the Tribunal stated that the evidence presented by the appellants was largely "exploratory" in nature, and gave it little weight. Instead, they relied on the testimony of several expert witnesses who stated that the relevant research was still in its earliest stages and that it had not yet progressed to a point where reliable conclusions could be drawn. View the full article by James Kelsall, law student with Davis LLP.

First Coal Receives Purchase Offer From Xstrata Coal 
Vancouver-based First Coal Corporation (First Coal) has received an all-cash offer of purchase from Xstrata Coal. Following receipt of a fairness opinion from KPMG Corporate Finance Inc., the Board of Directors of First Coal has unanimously recommended that its shareholders support this transaction when the shareholders vote on August 2, 2011. Xstrata Coal is the world’s largest international exporter of thermal coal and a major producer of premium quality hard coking coal and semi-soft coal. The company is headquartered in Sydney, Australia and has interests in over 30 coal mines projects properties in Australia, South Africa, Colombia and the Donkin project in Nova Scotia. Xstrata Coal is a division of Xstrata Plc, an international mining company with holdings in coal, copper, nickel, zinc and alloy mining properties as well as mineral processing and other technology. Click here to view full story as reported by MABC.

Privacy Commissioner to Investigate Smart Meters - Privacy Laws
British Columbia's information and privacy commissioner will investigate BC Hydro's smart meter program to ensure it complies with privacy laws. In a news release Thursday, Commissioner Elizabeth Denham said she decided to launch her investigation after receiving numerous complaints that the information collected by the meters may breach personal privacy. "The privacy and security of energy consumption data is a very real issue for citizens throughout the province," Denham is quoted as saying in the news release. "With an increase in the frequency of the information collected from smart meters comes an increased responsibility on BC Hydro to ensure that privacy and security is built into the smart grid." View full story as reported in the Vancouver Sun.

Forest and Environment News:

BC Forest Safety Council Releases Report Reviewing The Khaira Enterprises Situation
On July 21, 2010, a group of recreational boaters spotted a fire in a wooded area near Golden, BC. Because there was a camp fire ban in effect at the time, the boaters reported the fire to the Ministry of Forests, Lands and Natural Resource Operations (MFLNRO), who in turn dispatched personnel to investigate. When the government officials arrived at the Khaira campsite where the fire had been spotted, they were greeted by a crew of silviculture workers. Nearly all the workers were black males, and as new Canadians, spoke little or no English. One of the workers was visibly injured and bleeding from the head. View full report.

China Exports Surpass U.S. for First Time
Trade figures show the value of softwood lumber exported to China has surpassed the U.S. for the first time, sending powerful signals about the importance of the Asia-Pacific markets for B.C.'s economy and job prospects. "China has become our most important market for lumber," said Pat Bell, the former B.C. Forests minister and the current Minister of Jobs, Tourism and Innovation. May was a record-breaking month for B.C. softwood lumber exports to China with 746,000 cubic metres exported — up 157 per cent by volume over the same month last year. From January to May, B.C. exported 2.8 million cubic metres to China, up over double from last year in both volume and value. View full story as reported by the CBC.

The Carbon Marketing Wars Have Begun
Their logos and packaging are near clones—Lay's potato chips in the United States and Walkers crisps in the United Kingdom. The story behind the similarity is that both brands are owned by PepsiCo. But a subtle difference sets them apart. Each bag of Walkers crisps carries a label stating that 75.0 grams of carbon were emitted to produce a 34.5 gram bag of chips. Read the full story published by James Marshall and posted on Environment Expert.

The Forestry Law Reporter
Volume IV, Issue I
The next issue of The Forestry Law Reporter by Jeff Waatainen, Westhaven Forestry Law is now available. For the full report see The Forestry Law Reporter.