It’s going faster and better than anticipated, but there’s still a lot of groundwork to complete when it comes to spreading the word about the clean coal project at the Boundary Dam Power Station.
Mike Monea, president of Carbon Capture and Storage Initiatives for SaskPower, said on-site visits such as those undertaken by two high-profile American Senators and a U.S. Congressman last week, go a long way toward achieving the goal of raising the BD3 profile.
“The fact our premier is a strong advocate and well-versed in the topic, certainly helps. In fact I believe he could deliver three-quarters of my presentation to visitors by now,” said Monea with a chuckle.
But while a lot of politicians and business leaders around the globe are becoming increasingly aware of what’s going on in Estevan, there are still some who require a little schooling to get up to speed on the topic, and that, he said, probably includes more than a few people in Regina and elsewhere in the province.
“People from all over are learning more about the project and when we hold our symposium in Regina on Sept. 10, there will be even more. Delegates are coming in from all over the world and we’re not shy to share operational information with them. It’s a huge task to get the word out but in the climate change circles, we have a pretty high profile with the BD3 project,” said Monea.
The man charged with the duty of promoting the project, Monea said he’ll be travelling to Japan on Oct. 9, to talk to their engineers, scientists and politicians since that country is just now “easing back into their nuclear power production program, with caution,” while making further commitments to coal-fueled power production.
“The good thing about coal versus other fuels, is if there is an accident in transportation, you go get a shovel and solve the problem. That’s not always the case with the others,” he said.
Interest in the Estevan project is obviously growing in the United States, mostly from the politicians and mining companies.
Monea said the visit by Senators Lindsey Graham and Sheldon Whitehouse along with Congressman Tom Rice, all advocates of finding solutions to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and developing safer environmental practices, proved a point for the clean coal advocates.
“They’re getting their heads around it in the power companies, mining companies and in the political circles,” he said
