BC Environment Minister statement on oil pipelines

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Aug. 1, 2012
Ministry of Environment

Environment Minister sets out government's position on heavy oil pipelines

VICTORIA - Environment Minister Terry Lake wrote to
environmental groups today to reiterate government's position on
heavy oil pipelines and the key environmental conditions that must
be met in order for any proposal to be considered in British
Columbia. The letter in its entirety is copied below:

My government recently released technical analysis related to
proposed heavy oil pipelines in British Columbia. The report,
Requirements for British Columbia to Consider Support for Heavy
Oil Pipelines, can be accessed at:
http://www.env.gov.bc.ca/main/docs/2012 ... 120723.pdf

I am writing you today because I believe it is of critical importance
that you hear directly from the Government of British Columbia
about our position on heavy oil pipelines, and about the five
requirements that will have to be satisfied before we will consider
supporting any heavy oil pipeline proposal in British Columbia.

Our government recognizes that British Columbians have legitimate
concerns about heavy oil pipelines in our province. Currently, there
is one such proposal undergoing environmental assessment - the
Enbridge proposal for the Northern Gateway Pipeline (NGP). There
are others expected, and for that reason the position outlined by
my government would apply to any proposal for a new heavy oil
pipeline.

As you know, heavy oil poses particular environmental challenges. It
is unlike anything else we transport across Canada. This distinction
is very important given the opinion of some commentators, who
would like to compare B.C.'s position on the transport of heavy oil
with the transport of other Canadian commodities. There is simply
no comparison.

I want to be clear that the technical analysis released by my
government provided the foundation for our position on any heavy
oil pipeline proposal. That includes but is not restricted to the
Enbridge proposal for the Northern Gateway Pipeline. The NGP is
the only formal proposal at this time, and therefore information is
available about that project and its risks and benefits.

The Project is undergoing environmental assessment before a Joint
Review Panel, struck under authority of the federal National Energy
Board and the Canadian Environmental Assessment Agency. Review
of the project falls within the federal government's purview because
it crosses inter-provincial borders.

Our review of the information currently before the Joint Review
Panel, as well as our assessment of marine and land-based spill
response regimes here in British Columbia and around the world,
supports the requirements we have identified that will have to
addressed before we will consider support for a heavy oil pipeline
proposal:

* Successful completion of the environmental review process. In the
case of Enbridge, that would mean a recommendation by the
National Energy Board Joint Review Panel that the project proceed;
* 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;
* World-leading practices for land oil spill prevention, response and
recovery systems to manage and mitigate the risks and costs of
heavy oil pipelines;
* Legal requirements regarding Aboriginal and treaty rights are
addressed, and First Nations are provided with the opportunities,
information and resources necessary to participate in and benefit
from a heavy-oil project; and,
* British Columbia receives a fair share of the fiscal and economic
benefits of a proposed heavy oil project that reflects the level,
degree and nature of the risk borne by the province, the
environment and taxpayers.
Our economic analysis is supported by the very recent report of the
Canadian Energy Research Institute, available at:
http://www.ceri.ca/images/stories/part_i_-
_impacts_of_oil_sands_production_-_final_july_2012.pdf


In June 2011, the Government of British Columbia registered for
Intervenor Status with the Joint Review Panel (JRP). As an
Intervenor, our government can make written information requests
of Northern Gateway and all other participants, and can question
them at the final hearing. With the Panel's approval, Intervenors
can also ask questions of Government Participants at the final
hearings. Intervenor status provides significant flexibility for
participation at the hearings, and we are utilizing this to our benefit,
including by cross-examining Enbridge.

I would like to encourage you to read our technical analysis. We
have outlined aggressive requirements that must be met before we
will consider supporting a heavy oil pipeline proposal. Our
government looks forward to the response not only of project
proponents, but of other governments and levels of government
that have expressed interest in such projects.