Landowners join environmentalists to resist Energy East pipeline derek.dunn@metroland.com
News – Environmental groups and First Nations are finding alliances in unlikely places when it comes to a company’s plans to ship oil through several Ottawa Valley municipalities. That was the key message from Sabrina Bowman of the Toronto-based Environmental Defence, who recently spoke against TransCanada’s proposed Energy East project at the Galilee Centre in Arnprior. The proposal is to convert a 40-year-old natural gas pipeline to carry unrefined oil from the Alberta Tar Sands to destinations in Quebec and New Brunswick for sale on international markets. The converted oil pipeline would pass under the Bonnechere, Madawaska, Mississippi and Rideau rivers. Pipeline approvals such as TransCanada’s Keystone XL have trampled on private property rights in the US, Bowman said, meaning the company has gone to court and seized access to ranchers’ land using a legal tool called “eminent domain.” It has led to a cheeky tagline for the opposition: The cowboys and Indians alliance. “We are seeing massive public outcry (to Energy East) and they haven’t even filed their paperwork yet,” Bowman said. “People are seeing it as a democratic issue. They are not being allowed to get involved in something that could affect their community.” The Conservative government has vowed to turn Canada into an energy powerhouse, and gutted many environmental regulations and silenced opponents by fast-tracking approval processes, she said. Its support of oil companies is no secret, Bowman added, but grassroots resistance is growing. “BC is an incredible inspiration when it came to the Northern Gateway project. And it all had to do with you talking to your neighbours,” Bowman said. “They will listen to you.” As for formal ways to voice opposition to Energy East, there are few. Only the provincial government will have a direct say to the decision-making authority, the National Energy Board. Municipalities and individuals will not. Hence those at the Arnprior meeting were encouraged to sign a petition destined for Queen’s Park. Bowman suggested the Liberal government will oppose the project if it gets enough resistance. Energy East benefits
Although no TransCanada representatives spoke at the meeting, some of their literature was offered. It referred to the contribution Canada’s oil and gas sector makes to the economy: more than 500,000 jobs; over $20 billion in government tax revenues; 20 per cent of the value of the Toronto Stock Exchange. On safety it points to converting a section of the Canadian Mainline for the Keystone Pipeline, which “has safely delivered more than 550 million barrels of oil to the US,” since it began operating in July 2010. It has converted or constructed other pipelines in six provinces. It also has spent an average of $900 million per year over the last three years on pipeline integrity and preventative maintenance programs to protect pipeline systems and energy facilities. On minimizing environmental impact, TransCanada mentions working with pipes already in the ground, and that most new pump stations will be installed at existing compressor stations. Its pamphlets mention securing energy independence for Canada, meaning no more buying oil from Saudi Arabia and other countries holding nonwestern values. On the last point, speakers at the Arnprior meeting said Canada doesn’t have the capacity to refine Tar Sands oil, and that globalization rules force the sale of oil to the highest bidder. That means most or all will be sold to international markets. When it comes to the environment, Environmental Defence calculates converting from natural gas to “dirty oil” will equate to adding 7 million more cars on the roads. Duncan Noble of the Valley Climate Circle said Canada made an international promise to reduce greenhouse gases by 17 per cent from its 2005 levels by 2020. Until there’s a plan to fulfill that promise, he doesn’t want to see the oil sands expanded. “Until we have a strategy to meet our climate change goals, I don’t want to see your pipeline plans,” Noble said. “Is it responsible to write off our hopes and dreams for pipelines and profits? I don’t think so.” When it comes to safety, Kathy Lindsay of the Bonnechere River Watershed Project worries about a pipeline spill affecting communities such as Renfrew. TransCanada promised its original Keystone pipeline would spill only once in seven years. In the first year of the
to the oil sector and direct that money elsewhere, he said. Then there are the economic opportunities of the future and getting ahead of the competition. “Renewable fuels are going to have to replace fossil fuels if we are going to deal with climate change,” he said. The environmentalists were asked how to convince climate change deniers that the threats are real and changes are already underway. They responded that it challenges their fundamental beliefs about the benefits of free market economies, so there is no point trying to reason with them.
TransCanada’s pipeline projects have managed to unite groups that haven’t always seen eye to eye. Activists like Duncan Noble of the Valley Climate Circle, Ole Hendrickson of the Ottawa River Institute and Sabrina Bowman of Environmental Defence are finding support among landowners who oppose the corporation seizing access to their property. Derek Dunn/METROLAND
pipeline’s operation, it spilled 12 times, she said. In a recent explosion on the natural gas pipeline system destined to be converted, a massive fireball resulted. Mark MacKenzie, who is past president of the federal Green party, was the only politician to attend the event. He said the pipeline that will pass across the Madawaska within 100 yards of his home – west of the Stewartville dam – isn’t guaranteed to spill, but it’s not worth taking a chance. “Spills are very devastating. They are remote but catastrophic because you can’t clean them up,” MacKenzie said. “We need to get together to oppose sending this oil right through our backyards to other countries. It’s good for the one per cent. They’ll make money off the oil. But it’s way too risky for the rest of us.” Opponents say 80 per cent of pipeline spills over the last three years were spotted by people before TransCanada’s monitors. When it comes to the economy, Ole Hendrickson of the Ottawa River Institute said for every $1 million spent, green energy projects create 15 jobs, oil and gas just two. More importantly, governments should stop the massive subsidies given
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Derek Dunn
Connected to Your Community A/CP/K/P/SF - 30 - Thursday, November 20, 2014