Victoria - The BC Government has filed written arguments in the ongoing battle to oppose the proposed Sumas Energy 2 Inc. (SE2) power plant just south of the Fraser Valley.

"Premier Campbell has made it clear that our government will continue to oppose SE2," noted Environment Minister Barry Penner, who is also the MLA for Chilliwack-Kent. "Accordingly, we have instructed legal counsel for the Province to vigorously respond to SE2's appeal."

Proponents of SE2 have gone to the Federal Court of Appeal to challenge last year's unanimous decision by the Canada's National Energy Board. The National Energy Board refused to issue a permit which would have allowed construction of a power line into Canada near Abbotsford, stating that it would not be in the Canadian public interest.

"In cooperation with the City of Abbotsford and the Fraser Valley Regional District, we have two lawyers working on this file," said Penner. "This week, our lawyers filed 32 pages of legal documents with the Federal Court of Appeal. In essence, we believe the National Energy Board was within its jurisdiction to rule against SE2 due to concerns for Fraser Valley air quality and other issues. We don't need another 2.5 tonnes of air pollution pumped into our airshed every day from SE2."

The BC Government has spent close to $1.5 million fighting SE2, following an election promise made by Premier Campbell in 2001. Penner, as well as MLAs John van Dongen and Mike de Jong, first started drawing attention to the threat from SE2 in the spring of 1998. It's believed that a hearing before the Federal Court of Appeal may be held this fall.