Pebble Executive Critical of Environmental Groups

2/21/2012

During last week’s Pebble Partnership update to lawmakers in Juneau, Vice-President Ken Taylor presented an overall summary of the data being released through its Environmental Baseline Document. However, he could not complete his remarks in front of lawmakers in Juneau without addressing the opposition that exists to the Pebble Mine. Taylor feels that the groups opposing the Pebble Mine don’t want to see a wise use of Alaska’s resources.

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He says environmentalism has become a big business in Alaska, stating that any major project by any industry will go through litigation. Taylor called it just a fact of life that increases the cost of any project.

The Pebble Project is currently going through litigation. The Pebble Partnership and the State of Alaska are challenging in court the legality of last fall’s Save our Salmon Initiative that was in front of voters in the Lake and Peninsula Borough. The initiative forbids the permitting of any large mining project in the Borough, including the Pebble Mine.

2 Comments to “Pebble Executive Critical of Environmental Groups”

40 Bull Moose says:

February 21, 2012 at 11:05 am

“What part of no doesn’t Ken Taylor (of Pepple Partnership) understand?”
Alexi says:

February 22, 2012 at 3:40 pm

Have you been there? I have.
Have you talked to an Alaskan who works for the project? I have.
Have you seen how many locals work there? I have.
Have you bothered to check how the economy of Iliamna has greatly improved? I have.
Have you seen the hugh swath of land Pebbles main opponent cleared for his profit? I have.
It is on land set aside for resource development.
We live here, we work here, and we spend our money here and in Kenai and Anchorage, money we make because we are employed by an employer who we know cares about our culture and the land west of Iliamna. By the way tourist doesn’t go out there to tromp around. It’s a lot like the slope in that most of its detractors have never been there.
We are locals who want and need the income and I for one appreciate the opportunity to work for an employer whom I know cares about our culture and home.