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Monthly meeting for the constituency association (CA) of Nanaimo-North Cowichan.
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BC Greens say it is time to cancel consideration of the Northern Gateway Enbridge Pipelines
Michigan spill highlights the very real risks with pipelines
July 30, 2010, Victoria, BC –– “BC Greens oppose the Enbridge pipelines between the Alberta Tar Sands and Kitimat. The Michigan spill proves that Enbridge has misled the public on the general safety of pipelines and on its own record of spills,” said Green Party of BC Leader Jane Sterk.
“It seems that it is only after a disaster happens that the real record of the company comes out. Enbridge has a history of spills along its network of pipelines. And, on the pipeline that broke, the US regulator had told Enbridge that there were problems with corrosion. Enbridge’s claim that the section of pipe that failed was not identified is not persuasive. After all, the break took place in a marshy area which would be a prime location for corrosion. Besides, the company is transporting a dangerous product and it is obligated to inspect and maintain the total length of the pipeline.
“Enbridge CEO Pat Daniel’s apology to the people of Michigan offers no comfort. And, his statement that Enbridge will repair all of the environmental damage is simply not plausible. Even the most naive individual knows that this kind of damage can never be completely cleaned up.
“The Green Party of BC calls on the BC Government and the Government of Canada to halt all further consideration of the two Northern Gateway pipelines. The pipelines will cross almost 700 streams, many of which feed into major lakes and rivers. BC simply cannot entertain the potential for disaster.
“And, the pipelines are not needed. There is overcapacity in existing pipelines and there are alternatives. BC should not be enabling the expansion of the Tar Sands, we should not be damaging pristine areas of the province and we should not be going against the wishes of First Nations and communities along the route.
“It is time to wean ourselves off fossil fuels, not to promote further expansion of dirty oil. A triple bottom line assessment of this project would prove that it is not good for BC,” concluded Sterk.