Documentary in U.K. examines B.C. forestry practices

The forestry practices in British Columbia have come under international scrutiny following a BBC documentary that shed light on the wood pellet industry in the province. The documentary highlighted the use of wood pellets for power in the United Kingdom, most of which are sourced from B.C.

According to the documentary, the practices in B.C.’s Interior were found to breach Canadian environmental regulations a staggering 189 times. Tegan Hansen, Stand.earth’s senior forest campaigner, emphasized that the environmental and forest policies in British Columbia and across Canada are a major point of contention in the United Kingdom.

The focus of the documentary was on the Drax Power Station in England, which runs off wood pellets primarily sourced from B.C. The documentary revealed numerous emissions violations at Drax’s plants in the interior, with some cases showing emissions exceeding the allowed limit by double or even triple in certain instances.

Conservationists in both the U.K. and B.C. are concerned not only about the air quality issues but also about the possibility of whole trees being turned into fuel pellets by Drax. This raises questions about the company’s claim of being a green and renewable business.

While Drax maintains that its primary feedstock is residue from sawmills, Hansen disputed this claim by stating that she has personally seen whole logs at their facilities. She emphasized that the process involves grinding trees into pellets, which contradicts Drax’s assertions.

In response to the allegations, B.C. Forests Minister Bruce Ralston assured that old growth forests are not being turned into pellets. He acknowledged minor emissions problems and stated that Drax is working to improve standards at the plants they have acquired in B.C.

The documentary has sparked a debate about the sustainability and environmental impact of the wood pellet industry in British Columbia, prompting calls for stricter regulations and oversight to ensure the protection of forests and the environment.