The ECOreport ponders what is behind the fact BC wants input on a “world-leading” provincial spills regime

Before May 20, the National Energy Board is expected to recommend that Kinder Morgan’s proposed Trans Mountain pipeline expansion be approved. If the Government of Canada agrees, we could see a seven-fold increase of tankers carrying diluted bitumen through the most populated area of British Columbia. In preparation for this, BC wants input on a “world-leading” provincial spills regime.

What Has Changed?

This lofty aspiration comes almost ten months since Mary Polak, the province’s Minister of the Environment, admitted, “Our experience with smaller spills and near misses shows the province is not prepared for a major spill.”

In a press release today, she said, “Now is the right time to re-engage all British Columbians as we build a new path to best prepare and respond to spills.”

What has changed?

“I think this is the province trying to make it look like they are taking the threat of a spill seriously. What we’ve seem from the provincial government in terms of this latest spill strategy is pretty inadequate in terms of protecting our coast. No matter what spill response plan Kinder Morgan comes up with, or the provincial government could require them to do, it doesn’t address the glaring fact that diluted bitumen sinks,” said Peter McCartney of the Wilderness Committee.

“No one on this earth knows how to clean up diluted bitumen. Kinder Morgan couldn’t do it. The B.C. Government couldn’t do it. So bye putting stuff on our coast we are really putting it at risk.”

This would appear to be a violation of the second of the province’s five conditions that are a prerequisite for for supporting the construction and operation of heavy-oil pipelines:

“World-leading marine oil spill response, prevention and recovery systems for B.C.’s coastline and ocean to manage and mitigate the risks and costs of heavy-oil pipelines and shipments.”

“When they first started talking about their spill response strategy, they wanted to have an effective spill response strategy. I think as we went forward and they realized they couldn’t possibly have an effective spill response strategy for diluted bitumen, it started becoming world leading. You can have the best spill response strategy in the world and still not be able to clean up the oil that is spilled on our coast,” observed McCartney.

Recently Introduced Amendments

The government has outlined the principles behind their amendments (here).

McCartney agreed with the idea of “polluter pays,” but says he did not see anything that indicates this would actually happen.

“If the polluter is some offshore company with no legal ties to Canada, making the polluter pay is going to be tough. The idea that this legislation is going to compensate British Columbians, or even pay for the spill, just isn’t going to work,” he said.

“I would like to see liability for Kinder Morgan, and ensure that doesn’t stop at the shoreline.”

You have until June 30, 2016, to “share your thoughts” with the government. They have set up a website to receive them @ http://engage.gov.bc.ca/spillresponse/

When The NEB Approves the Pipeline

“When the National Energy Board approves this pipeline, because it will, the Federal Government has really taken this decision on themselves. We will do everything we can to let the Federal government know just how overwhelming the opposition to this project is in the province and local communities, ” Said McCartney.

He suggests that every British Columbian possible attend whatever kind of consultation meeting there are, to stick up for our coast.

“We have until December to show that British Columbians are completely opposed to this project. We need everyone out.  They are not going to railroad these pipelines through over mass community opposition.”

Photo: 2007 Kinder Morgan spill in Burrard Inlet (creative commons)