NEWS RELEASE
July 23, 2012
Enbridge and B.C. Government's Grandiose, Knee-Jerk Promises Completely
Unrealistic
(Coast Salish Territory/Vancouver) Critics of Enbridge's proposed Northern
Gateway Pipeline are objecting loudly in response to the Province of B.C.'s
grandiose announcement regarding five minimum requirements that must be met for
the province to consider the construction and operation of heavy oil pipelines
within its borders. Several days ago, Enbridge, notorious for its minimal
pipeline safety standards, also promised to increase pipeline safety for the
proposed project. A clear majority of First Nations continue to be strongly
opposed to the proposed project along with environmental groups and the
majority of British Columbians, based on its deadly potential for extreme
environmental destruction and devastation.
Grand Chief Stewart Phillip, President of the Union of BC Indian Chiefs,
stated, "Both the Province of BC and Enbridge refuse to acknowledge that people
have clearly said 'no' to the proposed Northern Gateway pipeline. No amount of
miniscule increases to safety, or a provincial policy paper that ultimately
allows the Christy Clark government to approve the proposed pipeline, provide
any assurances that the land and waters will be protected. Enbridge has an
alarmingly high track record of pipeline spills and environmental degradation,
and an equally disturbing history of failing to acknowledge or address its
negligent safety standards and practices unless forced to. Enbridge has
consistently failed to meaningfully consult with Indigenous peoples on whose
territory its pipelines traverse. The Province of B.C.'s new minimum
requirement that legal requirements regarding Aboriginal and treaty rights must
be addressed is meaningless- it is absolutely obvious that legal requirements
must be not only addressed, but completely met."
He continued, "Despite the U.S.' scathing condemnation of Enbridge's
incompetent response to the ravaging oil spill in Kalamazoo, Michigan, the
worst spill in U.S. history, the Canadian and B.C. Governments are somehow
still welcoming Enbridge's proposed Northern Gateway Pipeline with open arms.
Due to the nature of heavy oil spills, there is no conventional clean-up remedy
available, and oil sinks. Due to massive cutbacks, there are limited funding
resources to immediately respond to spills. Quite frankly, both Premier Clark
and Enbridge are completely missing the boat; 'it's not about the money, it's
about the environment, stupid.'"
Critics of the proposed Northern Gateway project have sound reason for their
opposition:
* From 1999 to 2010, Enbridge had 804 spills total with 168,645 barrels
spilled. This equals approximately 26.81 million litres, or 7.08 million
gallons.
* As recently as June 18, 2012, Enbridge spilled 230,000 litres in Elk
Point, Alberta.
* Enbridge pipelines have consistently spilled oil when they run through
relatively flat terrain with regular weather conditions. The proposed Northern
Gateway pipeline would run through extremely varied terrain with a rocky
coastline and unpredictable coastal weather.
* The proposed pipeline would facilitate tar sand expansion by 30%,
Canada's fastest growing source of greenhouse emissions.
Grand Chief Phillip concluded, "The proposed pipeline would cross over 1000
streams and rivers, including the salmon bearing Fraser and Skeena watersheds
that are the life-force of First Nations throughout the province. Promising to
increase pipeline wall thickness for major tributaries is simply not enough,
and neither is the B.C. Government's illusory 'trust us' approach to
regulation. Based on Enbridge's track record, the question of a pipeline spill
is not 'if' but 'when.' We do not take any comfort in the corporate social
responsibility rhetoric that Enbridge is vainly pumping out in efforts to save
its bottom line. We call on all Canadians to join with the increasing number
of people who say 'no' to Enbridge's proposed Northern Gateway Pipeline. Above
all, we demand that Aboriginal Title and Rights, and Treaty Rights, be fully
upheld."
Media inquires:
Grand Chief Stewart Phillip, Union of BC Indian Chiefs
Phone: (250) 490-5314
[Non-text portions of this message have been removed]
------------------------------------
Native News North
List info{all lists}:
http://nativenewsonline.org/natnews.htm
Yahoo! Groups Links
<*> To visit your group on the web, go to:
http://groups.yahoo.com/group/NatNews-north/
<*> Your email settings:
Individual Email | Traditional
<*> To change settings online go to:
http://groups.yahoo.com/group/NatNews-north/join
(Yahoo! ID required)
<*> To change settings via email:
natnews-north-dig...@yahoogroups.com
natnews-north-fullfeatu...@yahoogroups.com
<*> To unsubscribe from this group, send an email to:
natnews-north-unsubscr...@yahoogroups.com
<*> Your use of Yahoo! Groups is subject to:
http://docs.yahoo.com/info/terms/
