elephant in the room

Most folks ,when asked about our looming pipelines projects (the Kinder Morgan twinning project and Enbridge Northern Gateway pipeline) are still unsure.Currently there lots of press about Northern Gateway pipeline and the many issues raised . This pipeline construction matter will be decided after this ‘rigorous due process’ . So far so good.The Kinder Morgan (KM) project is just barely underway and the their NEB hearings will commence likely in 2013.

When these projects are discussed,most folks soon express a serious concern about the oil tanker spill—anywhere along our coastline.I call it(the oil tanker issue ) the ELEPHANT IN THE ROOM!

This shipping component is passed off as ‘not a problem’ in Northern Gateway ads.—we’re told about very modern ships,good navigation systems ,double hulls,etc.

see Termpol report link

https://www.neb-one.gc.ca/ll-eng/livelink.exe/fetch/2000/90464/90552/384192/620327/624911/701712/792408/E11-3-2_-_Transport_Canada_-_TERMPOL_REVIEW_PROCESS_REPORT_ON_THE_ENBRIDGE_NORTHERN_GATEWAY_PROJECT_-_A2Q4A7.pdf?nodeid=792412&vernum=0

This report is specific to the (proponent)Northern Gateway Pipeline project and basically tells me that various ‘government’ agencies have reviewed shipping material submitted to them by the proponent—which was ‘accepted’—and that’s it---no public hearing—NO PUBLIC INPUT OR SCRUTINY--our government ‘experts’ DECIDE if the proponent info will satisfy the public interest..that’s it!

Then things get fuzzy-- the project proponent (Enbridge)THEN tells us that the shipping is not their responsibility! KM will no doubt say the same thing.

WHAT?

I did receive information from the Government Major Projects Management Office www.mpmo-bggp.gc.ca that explained the process as it exists—BUT ,again, there’s no suggestion that any serious oil tanker spill will be dealt with expeditiously by the shipper—are the BC public left to pay for any major spill cleanup? The $35.7 million over 2 years mentioned by the MPMO may cover a MINOR spill—possibly.What about the BIG ONE?

The issue is not IF an oil spill occurs—it’s WHEN an oil spill occurs! Be it Douglas Channel or Burrard Inlet,or wherever?---OK we aren’t going to stop shipping but we can insist that the proponents minimize the probability of a serious spill incident..let’s hear their solutions.

And the proponents could come up with a formula to CREATE a spill disaster fund –there are 4 major major ‘project partners’ ; oil producer,oil pipe liner, the loading terminal and storage facilities owner/operator and the shippers..who all PROFIT—

and the public who bear all the RISK!

There are also the big ‘silent partners’ ; the governments who desperately want/need the resultant revenue from these projects---and ultimately the public vote!

How to create a formula for building a disaster fund is the challenge—I’d guess that many insurance corporations could put together a scheme that could help build such a fund---and not leave the public holding the bag when this unwelcome major oil spill event occurs---However , likely there’s little incentive for the project partners to willingly enter into any such discussions—and the government’s don’t appear to be in a good bargaining position—so is it the status quo—and ultimately, the lawyers could be the only winners!

The Elephant remains in the room.