The following opinion piece by Executive Director Lois Corbett on Quebec and Ontario calling for climate change in the National Energy Board’s review of the oil pipeline proposal was originally published in The Daily Gleaner on Saturday, Nov. 29, 2014.
Concern for our planet gaining momentum Re: Pipeline
Appeared in The Daily Gleaner, A12, Saturday, Nov. 29. 2014
By Lois Corbett
The future of the proposed Energy East oil pipeline is now dependent on a comprehensive climate impact assessment as four premiers have signalled their concern for the planet now outpaces pipeline proponents.
Last week representatives from Quebec and Ontario laid out several conditions Alberta-based TransCanada Corp. must meet in order for their governments to accept the proposal.
On Nov. 24, Premier Brian Gallant told reporters he supported the criteria, calling them “reasonable” and saying it’s important to look at the long-term impacts the proposed oil pipeline would have on climate change.
Over the weekend, Alberta Premier Jim Prentice said he is also prepared to work with other provincial governments on a national climate change strategy.
The conditions laid out by Quebec and Ontario include a full environmental assessment of the oil pipeline’s impact on greenhouse gas emissions; a thorough emergency response plan and compensation fund; consultation with First Nations and other communities; and high technical standards to assure public safety and environmental protection.
The Conservation Council of New Brunswick says a thorough impact assessment should propose: a tight cap on growing emissions from Canada’s tarsands; phasing out of coal emissions; national and provincial investments in energy efficiency; and a national renewable energy program.
A recent analysis from Alberta’s Pembina Institute said the crude production needed to fill the Energy East oil pipeline would generate an additional 30 to 32 million tonnes of carbon emissions each year – the equivalent of adding more than seven million cars to Canada’s roads.