Dozens attend fund raiser to protest Alberta gasification project (Coal-Protest)

Canadian Press, June 28, 2008, TOFIELD, Alta. -- Dozens of people who live near Tofield, Alta., have turned out for a festival and fund-raiser to protest a proposed gasification project by Sherritt International and Epcor.

Bill Sears says his farm, which has belonged to his family for generations, is threatened by the project.

The project is planned for south of Tofield and would take up 312 square kilometres of farmland, roughly half the size of Edmonton.

Area resident Mary Korobko says it just boggles her mind that the government of Alberta and Sherritt would even consider tearing up that much farm land.

Critics of the project recently put up a billboard near Tofield which opposes the project.

They hope money raised from the festival will help keep area residents informed about the project.

"A majority of the money will be for what we term as ´keeping the public up to speed´ on things we feel they should know about," said critic Brian Schultz.

However, others believe the project would revitalize the area with new jobs.

"I think the coal mine around here might do a lot of good," said Owen Jones.

If the project goes ahead, the coal from the mine would go to produce synthetic gas to power tar sands upgraders. Sherritt and Epcor say the land would be reclaimed after the 40-year project is complete.

If the project goes ahead landowners will be forced to sell their land outright or be relocated while the mining takes place.