New report recommends government reject Enbridge pipeline, tankers
Friends of Wild Salmon is bringing attention to a new report showing the enormous social, economic, and environmental costs of the Enbridge Northern Gateway Pipeline and its associated oil tanker traffic.
The Natural Resources Defense Council, Pembina Institute and Living Oceans Society released the report, Pipeline and Tanker Trouble: The Impact to British Columbia’s Communities, Rivers, and Pacific Coastline from Tar Sands Oil Transport, earlier this week.
“There are very real safety issues and concerns associated with Northern Gateway, and Enbridge’s people have done everything they can to diminish and deny these very real concerns,” said Friends of Wild Salmon Coordinator Pat Moss. “This report is an effort to ensure that the public has all the information when making what we think is a clear choice – saying no to this unnecessary and dangerous pipeline.”
The report details the unique risks of transporting diluted bitumen, which is more corrosive than conventional oil and more difficult to clean up once it spills.
“This pipeline is uniquely risky,” said Moss. “It involves carrying a dangerous product through a landscape that is not only prone to landslides, but also supports unparalleled ecological values, including wild salmon. Our Northwest region is too valuable to be the site of such a high-risk experiment.”
The report also documents the extensive First Nations opposition to the Enbridge pipeline. There are now over 130 First Nations who are opposed to the project – from Haida Gwaii to the Northwest Territories.
“Unified First Nations opposition gives British Columbians hope that this project will not proceed,” said Moss. “The lands the pipeline and tanker route crosses have never been subject to a treaty, and from what we have seen, the vast majority of affected First Nations are committed to ensuring it never goes ahead.”
Among the report’s recommendations:
- The Federal Government should legislate a permanent large oil tanker ban.
- The Joint Review Panel should reject the proposed Northern Gateway pipeline project.
- Canada should restrict further diluted bitumen pipeline development until adequate safety regulations are in place.
The report can be downloaded at http://www.nrdc.org/international/pipelinetrouble
Contact:
For more information, contact Pat Moss at 250-847-9693