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Volume 57 No. 09
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Sentinel
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Northern
www.northernsentinel.com
Wednesday, February 29, 2012
1.34 INCLUDES TAX
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Transport Canada okays tanker route Malcolm Baxter Transport Canada says its TERMPOL review of the Northern Gateway project “has not identified any regulatory issues or gaps or the need to consider any new regulatory requirements at this time.” TERMPOL is short for Technical Review Process of Marine Terminal Systems and Transhipment Sites. Transport Canada explains, “TERMPOL is an extensive, though voluntary review process in which proponents involved in building and operating a marine terminal system for bulk handling of oil, chemicals and liquefied gases can participate.” Enbridge did take part in the process and “would be expected to fully implement its commitments and intentions” detailed in its submissions to the process.
Transport Canada said the Canadian Coast Guard reviewed the waterways the oil tankers would use, the size of the largest tankers, marine traffic density and factors affecting manoeuvrability. And found that the proposed route complied with national and international regulations and provided “the required clearances for good vessel manoeuvrability and allowances for very large crude carriers (VLCC).” It noted that was consistent with the results from simulations undertaken by Enbridge. Transport Canada went so far as to say that those results showed VLCCs “are capable of navigating the entire route unassisted.” In other words, escort tugs are not necessary, which Transport Canada says
is consistent with the opinions of Pacific Pilotage Authority Canada and BC Coast Pilots . However, Enbridge has committed to the use of such tugs and, as mentioned above, would therefore be expected to live up to that commitment. The BC pilots had pointed to some narrow spots “as warranting caution for two-way traffic.” And the Canadian Coast Guard had noted the Lewis Passage-Wright Sound area “warrants some caution as a result of multi-directional traffic.” However, in practice the pilots organisation would “adjust a vessel’s speed to avoid meeting other vessels in these areas.” Transport Canada noted speeds may have to be adjusted to take into account traffic in the Wright Sound area.
The report also pointed out that with increased shipping, there could be an increased threat to the “well-being of marine populations [ primarily whales] along the shipping route. And that Enbridge has said it would take steps “to avoid contact with mammals.” Transport Canada’s summary concluded with, “While there will always be a residual risk in any project, after reviewing the proponent’s studies and taking into account the proponent’s commitments, no regulatory concerns have been identified for the vessels, vessel operations, the proposed routes, navigability, other waterways users and the marine terminal operations associated with vessels supporting the Northern Gateway project. cont’d on page 3
TERMPOL report cheered and jeered Reaction to Transport Canada’s means a disproportionate share of risk release of its TERMPOL finding clearly falls on the people who live was swift, and predictable. within the Great Bear Rainforest.” Janet Holder, Enbridge’s senior Sterritt pointed out that the CFN executive with responsibility for had recently completed a report Northern Gateway, welcomed the called ‘A Review of Potential Imreport as “a very positive step for- pacts to Coastal First Nations from ward in the public rean Oil Tanker Spill Asview of the project.” with the NorthThis shocking sociated She said it was imern Gateway Project’ decision portant for the public which had pointed out - and BC residents in “a tanker spill would means a particular - “to know cause catastrophic ecothat we’ve done our disproportionate nomic, environmental homework and that our and cultural damage.” share of risk marine plan has been He said the report clearly falls thoroughly reviewed.” found that many of the on the people response techniques Holder said the TERMPOL report un- who live within identified by Enbridge, derlined that the project booming the Great Bear including was “well planned and around tankers to conRainforest.” safe - and indeed would tain spilled oil, skimenhance safety for all mers and booms used shipping on BC’s north coast.” to remove oil, and re-direction to However, the Coastal First Na- sensitive areas are similar to methtions took quite a different view. ods used during the Exxon Valdez Art Sterritt, the executive direc- cleanup. tor of the CFN, said the decision was “The Exxon Valdez experience “unfathomable”. shows these response techniques Charging that “numerous safety were largely ineffective in containissues” such as “treacherous passage ing and collecting spilled oil. These ways, poor weather conditions and techniques resulted in the recovery human error” were either minimized of only 14 per cent of the original or ignored by Transport Canada, amount of oil released.” Sterritt said, “It is nonsensical to say Sterritt said the CFN would do there will always be residual risk in whatever was necessary to stop oil any project. This shocking decision tankers coming into Kitimat.
New resident or another tourist? Whichever it might be, Eagle #17 covered a lot of miles to get here. For the story, see page 3. Photo by April McLeod
Kinder Morgan pipeline progresses While all eyes are on the Enbridge Northern Gateway project, Kinder Morgan’s plans to double its shipments of oil sands bitumen out of Vancouver continue to progress. The company announced last week that its open season had garnered enough commitments from potential users of the line to “support moving forward with the proposed Trans Mountain pipeline system expansion.”
In a release the company added, “The expansion open season, held between Oct. 20, 2011, and Feb. 16, 2012, received strong binding commercial support from a diverse group of customers.” Ian Anderson, president of Kinder Morgan Canada said that support now allowed the company to complete initial project design and planning. “We are looking forward to
engaging in dialogue with First Nations, interested stakeholders and communities along the pipeline,” he said, adding, “The final decision on the proposed project will be known by the end of the first quarter of this year.” The expansion plan sees 600,000 barrels per day (bpd) flowing from Alberta to its terminal in Burnaby. Kinder Morgan anticipates the expansion will cost about $3.8 billion.
Pipeline open house tomorrow...page 3