The B.C. Liberal government is drawing criticism after recently outlining five minimum requirements that must be met before it will consider allowing heavy oil pipelines within British Columbia's borders.
In brief, requirements include successful completion of the environmental review process; world-leading oil spill response, prevention and recovery systems (for both marine and land); addressing legal requirements regarding Aboriginal and treaty rights; and ensuring B.C. gets "a fair share" of the benefits that reflects the risks.
100 Mile House environmentalist Patricia Spencer says the "minimal" new requirements for the potential Enbridge pipeline approval don't address the concerns of the majority of B.C. residents.
"Instead of worrying about how much money this pipeline would generate for the province, [Premier Christy Clark] should start listening to the concerns of British Columbians."
However, Clark says her government is committed to economic development that is balanced with environmental protection.
"We need to combine environmental safety with our fair share of fiscal and economic benefits."
Spencer explains the pipeline would cross over 600 streams and rivers in Northern B.C. It would jeopardize the health of those watersheds, she adds, as well as the tourism and fishing industries.
"Most experts agree spills along the pipeline route, and along B.C.'s pristine coast, are inevitable. So why take the risk?"
Enbridge had a "poor track record" regarding pipeline spills and clean-up operations, she adds, pointing to the Kalamazoo, Michigan spill in 2011 and the recent pipeline rupture in Elk Point, Alberta.
Meanwhile, Spencer isn't alone in her concerns.
First Nations Summit (FNS) leaders say the provincial government is "on the wrong track" and does not fully comprehend the level of the "extremely strong and building" First Nations opposition to the pipelines.
Says FNS political executive Dan Smith: "B.C. First Nations opposition is a result of deep and real concerns about the devastating impacts an oil spill would have should the pipelines be approved."
The B.C. Greens also oppose the Northern Gateway project, according to Green party leader Jane Sterk, who says the pipeline and the accompanying tanker traffic along B.C.'s "wild and fragile coast" cannot be justified under any circumstance.
However, BC Conservative Leader John Cummins says completing the environmental process and including a benefit-sharing structure to compensate the province would be included in his party's plan.
Spencer explains the whole country should be scaling down production in the tar sands, and instead supporting development of renewable energy to boost jobs and the economy.
"Many climate scientists, such as James Hansen from NASA, are warning that if Canada liquidates the tar sands as planned, 'it will be game over for the climate'."
The technical analysis document for these requirements can be downloaded at www.env.gov.bc.ca/main/docs/2012/TechnicalAnalysis-HeavyOilPipeline_120723.pdf.