Author: Robin Rowland

Enbridge pipeline controversy now on both coasts, Maine residents object to plan to send bitumen to Portland

It didn’t take long for the plans to send bitumen eastbound, perhaps as an alternative to Kitimat, to start controversy. The bitumen would go through the Montreal-Portland pipeline, thus the terminal could be at Portland, Maine.

The Maine coast is likely even more delicate than the British Columbia coast, and environmental groups are already gearing up to fight the pipeline as reported in the Kennebec (Maine) Journal, in tomorrow’s edition, June 21, 2012.

Tar sands oil transit meets objections

As speculation grows about the possibility of tar sands oil flowing from Canada through Maine, environmental advocates are banding together to oppose what they see as a risky proposition.

On Tuesday at Portland City Hall, [fisher Brooke] Hidell joined representatives from the Natural Resources Council of Maine, the Natural Resources Defense Council and the local chapter of the Sierra Club to protest what they say is a growing threat to Maine’s quality of life.

Enbridge Corp., a major petroleum company in Canada, has applied for a permit to reverse the flow of oil between Ontario and Montreal. Dylan Voorhees of the Natural Resources Council of Maine and others predict a similar reversal of the Portland-Montreal Pipe Line, so Canadian oil could be loaded onto tankers in Casco Bay, then shipped to refineries.

Voorhees said that would provide no real benefits to Maine but would threaten the environment while increasing profits for oil companies.

If Enbridge thinks the fight in British Columbia was a headache, it is likely that any plan to use Maine as a conduit for bitumen, will be as equal, if not more controversial.

The area is often home to prominent members of the American establishment.  The Bush family compound, summer retreat for presidents George W and George H. W. Bush, is in nearby Kennebunkport.

The state is also home to a large, vibrant and vocal artistic community.

Editor’s note:  Thirty years ago, in 1983, I took an Outward Bound course on the coast of Maine at the Hurricane Island School (it has since closed).  Unlike the rugged islands of the coast of British Columbia, the offshore islands where I sailed in Maine, are considered environmentally delicate and there are restrictions on the number of visitors and use of the island.

 

 

Apache says Kitimat LNG project delayed by a year, Financial Post reports

The Financial Post is quoting an Apache executive saying that the KM LNG project has been delayed by a year while the company tries to firm up customers for the liquefied natural gas that would be shipped to Asia.

 
No relief for natural gas producers as Apache’s Kitimat plant delayed
 

Beleaguered natural gas producers in Western Canada are going to have wait a little longer for relief from severely depressed prices. Janine McArdle, the senior executive in charge of the Kitimat LNG project at Houston-based Apache Corp., said the facility’s planned startup will take an extra year as the company continues to look for firm contracts with buyers in Asia…

The first cargo is now expected to leave Canada in 2017, a year behind the latest plans. The project has regulatory approval, but Apache needs to be sure it has a market for the gas and that the project is economic before taking a final investment decision, Ms. McArdle, senior vice-president for gas monetization at Apache, North America’s largest oil and gas independent producer, said Wednesday.

Reporter Claudia Cattaneo writes that McArdle made the statement “on the sidelines of an industry conference” without giving a location. She is based in Calgary. So far no other media outlet has matched the story.

(more to come)

Kitimat gets ready for Joint Review hearings, protest rally and visit by NDP federal caucus

Kitimat is getting ready for the next round of Joint Review hearings in the district on the Enbridge Northern Gateway project.

The JRP is scheduled to hold the ten minute comment hearings at the Haisla Recreation Centre on the afternoon of June 25 and 26. The hearings scheduled for June 27 have been cancelled because, the JPR says: “The number of registered participants does not require the hearing session on 27 June.”  As with other locations, it appears that many people are dropping out of the hearings because given Prime Minister Stephen Harper’s determination to push through the pipeline no matter what and they feel their voices will not matter.

On Monday night, June 18, the District of Kitimat Council approved a request from Douglas Channel Watch for a protest rally to be held Sunday, June 24, at 2 p.m. in the lower parking lot at City Centre Mall. The application to the council said that a number of speakers will also address the issue of the government’s omnibus Bill C-38.

Margaret Ouwehand of Douglas Channel Watch, also noted in her application, “we wish to have a short march where participants would walk on sidewalks and obey all traffic signals.” In the report on the application, District staff noted that under the BC Municipal Code, a march of more than 30 people is considered a parade and in the case of Kitimat would also require the permssion of the local RCMP. The protest rally is being heavily promoted on Twitter and Facebook as well as more traditional media, so it is likely that there will be more than 30 people participating in the rally and march.

At the same time, some members of the federal NDP caucus will be in Kitimat for the second day of the hearings. A release from the NDP says Deputy Leader and Environment Critic Megan Leslie will lead the delegation to the northwest.

“Our caucus feels so strongly about the risks of Enbridge that many MPs are joining Megan to stand up to heavy-handed Conservative tactics,” said Skeena-Bulkley MP and House Leader Nathan Cullen. “The government has gutted environmental assessments and is trying to ram this project through and we’re not going to let that happen.”

The NDP Enbridge tour begins on Monday, June 25 with events and a public forum in Vancouver, a clear attempt to gain major media attention there, especially in an era where budget-strapped news organizations are always reluctant to send people to Kitimat.

Leslie and Cullen will then lead a smaller delegation to meet with Haisla Chief Councillor Ellis Ross and will tour a portion of the proposed marine route that oil supertankers would take to transport raw bitumen to Asia from Kitimat.

As well as attending the JRP hearings at Kitamaat Village, the NDP caucus plan to meet with local muncipal leaders in Kitimat as well as municipal officials and First Nations leaders from other communities.

“I’m really looking forward to key members of our Opposition caucus meeting with people who are directly affected by Enbridge,” Cullen said in his news release.

“Having taken part in dozens of Enbridge rallies and meetings over the years, I know there will be many very powerful moments. It’ll be pretty up front and personal.

“Megan and our caucus are here to stand in solidarity with residents of the Northwest in opposing a dangerous project that brings us so many risks and really only benefits Enbridge shareholders.”

In the evening after the JRP hearings, the NDP will then hold a public forum at the Best Western Inn in Terrace, starting about 6:30 p.m. (depending on the length of the afternoon JRP hearings)

Terrace mayor Dave Pernarowski and perhaps members of other local councils will make a welcoming statement, followed by an address from MEgan and then an information session with presentations from individuals & organizations, followed by a question and answer session and break-out groups for those interested.

With the June 27 JRP hearings now cancelled, there may be a second public meeting in Kitimat that afternoon starting at 12:30 p.m. but that is yet to be confirmed.

 

(Typo fixed, correcting day of rally from Monday to Sunday)

Oil spill at Enbridge Athabaska pipeline sparks Twitter storm

Enbridge, DFO in fight over salmon spawning streams, Postmedia reports

Coastal First Nations files motion with JRP to compel province of British Columbia to participate in Gateway hearings

Coastal First Nations have filed a notice of motion with the Northern Gateway Joint Review Panel, which, in effect, would compel the province of British Columbia to participate in the proceedings considering the future of the controversial Enbridge Northern Gateway pipeline project.

So far the province, from Premier Christy Clark and Environment Minister Terry Lake down to the lawyer representing the province at the JRP, Christopher Jones, have refused to take part.

In the motion, Art Sterritt, executive director of Coastal First Nations, refers to a story by Justine Hunter in The Globe and Mail, In B.C., energy policy becomes a political battleground which says:

A 30-page technical report containing the B.C. government’s assessment of the proposed Northern Gateway project sits on Environment Minister Terry Lake’s desk. Still, his government remains silent on the plan to build a pipeline across northern B.C. to get Alberta oil to Asian markets.

The motion requests an order from the JRP that would have:

a) The JRP to compel the Intervenor, the Province of British Columbia, to file
the technical report containing the B.C. government’s assessment of the
proposed Northern Gateway project reported on in The Globe and Mail
newspaper on Sunday June 3, 2012.

b) The JRP to compel the Province of British Columbia to file any other reports
or assessments it has done on the Project.

c) The JRP to allow Intervenors an opportunity to file Information Requests on
any evidence filed by the Province of British Columbia.

d) The JRP to compel the Province of British Columbia to indicate whether or
not it will issue a Certificate for the Project pursuant to the BC Environmental
Assessment Act.

e) The JRP to compel the Province of British Columbia to indicate whether it
intends to consult with First Nations on the Project, and if so, how and when?

The motion was filed June 8, but only posted recently on the JRP website.  Three days later, on June 11, Jones, representing the province, filed the latest letter refusing to take part in the JRP proceedings.   Since all filings are sent to intervenors and government participants, it is likely that the provincial ministry of Justice in Victoria was aware of the motion from Coastal First Nations.  The province is yet to file a response to the motion.

Earlier, on May 28, the province filed a notice with the Joint Review Panel, refusing to answer questions from the Kitimat environmental group, Douglas Channel Watch.

If the Joint Review Panel does compel British Columbia to release documents and therefore participate in the hearings, it would make the Northern Gateway issue even more front and centre in provincial politics, something Premier Christy Clark, who is in trouble in the polls, has been trying to avoid.

 

Coastal First Nations filed this statement of facts with its motion:

Statement of Facts

1.
The Province of British Columbia is an Intervenor in the JRP process but has not filed
any evidence with the JRP.
2.
The Province of British Columbia has prepared a technical report containing the B.C.
government’s assessment of the proposed Northern Gateway Project (reported on in
the Globe and Mail newspaper on Sunday June 3, 2012).1
3.
The proposed Project [both the plant at Kitimat (energy storage facility) and the
pipeline (transmission pipeline)] is a reviewable project under the B.C.
Environmental Assessment Act, Reviewable Projects Regulation, [includes
amendments up to B.C. Reg. 4/2010, January 14, 2010].

4.
The Project has the potential to significantly affect in an adverse manner the interests of CFN and its members’ Aboriginal Rights and Title.
Grounds for the Motion

5.
The Province of British Columbia has economic and environmental interests that are
potentially affected by the Project.
6.
The Province of British Columbia will be required to issue a variety of approvals for
the Project including Crown tenures and leases.
7.
The Province of British Columbia has legal obligations to consult First Nations about
the proposed project.
8.
The Province of British Columbia plays a significant role in oil spill responses and is
a member of the Pacific States – BC Oil Spill Task Force established to develop
coordinated programs for oil pollution prevention, abatement, and response.
Decision or Order Sought

9.
CFN respectfully requests the following relief:
a)
The JRP to compel the Intervenor, the Province of British Columbia, to file the
technical report containing the B.C. government’s assessment of the proposed
Northern Gateway project (reported on in the Globe and Mail newspaper on
Sunday June 3, 2012).

1 http://www.theglobeandmail.com/news/british-columbia/in-bc-energy-policy-becomes-a-politicalbattleground/
article4227695/

b)
The JRP to compel the Province of British Columbia to file any other reports or
assessments it has done on the Project.

c) The JRP to allow Intervenors an opportunity to file Information Requests on any
evidence filed by the Province of British Columbia.

d)
The JRP to compel the British Columbia to indicate whether or not it will issue a
Certificate for the Project.

e)
The JRP to compel the Province of British Columbia, to indicate whether it
intends to consult with First Nations on the Project, and if so, when?

Coastal First Nations Great Bear Initiative FN_Motion_4_-_A2T9V4  (pdf)

An oil boom and bust lesson from Annie Lennox

Province of BC won’t provide witnesses for Gateway Joint Review hearings

The province of British Columbia has told the Northern Gateway Joint Review that it will not provide witnesses for cross-examination during the questioning phase of the hearings.

That announcement came today, June 12, 2012, in a letter from Christopher Jones, lawyer for the province, saying that since the province “did not adduce evidence in this proceeding, it would not be presenting witnesses for cross-examination.”

The letter also suggests that those who have questions on the provincial role in the Enbridge Northern Gateway “to contact counsel for the JRP and Northern Gateway for clarification.”

The letter means that the province still has no input into the process concerning one of the largest industrial projects in BC history.

On May 10, 2012, in an story by Canadian Press reporter Dirk Meissner BC environment minister Terry Lake said the province would stay out:

B.C.’s environment minister acknowledges he’s feeling the pressure to take a stand on the proposed Northern Gateway pipeline project, but he says his government is determined to keep quiet until federal environmental reviews are completed.

Environment Minister Terry Lake said Thursday the province’s silence on the pipeline decision created a demand for clarity that the government was willing to withstand.

But he added: “We feel the pressure, of course we do, but it’s not responsible to take a position before all that evidence is before us and then we can make the best decision in the interests of all British Columbians.”

On Monday, Global TV’s Keith Baldry asked premier Christy Clark why the province is keeping out of the Joint Review Process. In her response, Clark repeated the provincial position that her government would not take a position on the pipeline and tanker project until the conclusion of the JRP. (Video of the item is not on the Global website).

In late May, the province told the Joint Review Panel it would not provide answers to questions from the Kitimat environment group Douglas Channel Watch about items that DCW felt was in provincial jurisdiction.

Province of BC Response to Procedural Conference Draft Report  (pdf)

 

Alberta oil spill latest, LNG race to Kitimat

Haida Gwaii group releases rap video against Stephen Harper, Northern Gateway pipeline

A group called Haida Gwaii CoASt has released a video called ‘Haida Raid 2′, a rap rendition of what could happen if, as expected, Prime Minister Stephen Harper goes ahead with the Northern Gateway pipeline.

On the website, the group describes itself this way:

CoASt, Communities Against Super Tankers is an informal group made up of a diverse cross section of islanders on Haida Gwaii who are concerned about the consequences of tanker traffic on the West Coast of BC….

CoASt is a revival of the original Coalition Against Super Tankers that first opposed tanker traffic on behalf of Haida Gwaii in the late 1970s. The original members of the group could never have imagined the size of the tankers that are on the horizon for the Coast: 1/2 a kilometre long with 10 times the capacity of the Exxon Valdez. Imagine a spill from Alaska to California…