Action Needed - Oil & Gas Development inshore Cape Breton

From: "cyndi gilbert" <cyndigilbert@hotmail.com>
To: sust-mar@chebucto.ns.ca
Date: Sun, 04 Feb 2001 16:54:54 -0500
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Return-Path: <sust-mar-mml-owner@chebucto.ns.ca>

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Very Little Public about the Review

The Canada-Nova Scotia Offshore Petroleum Board (CNSOPB) terms of reference 
for the public review of the Cape Breton oil and gas exploration leases 
(2364, 2365, & 2368) are out (see more background information and TOR 
below).

One commissioner will decide everything, instead of a panel.  There is no 
intervenor funding.  And most appalling, the commissioner's work is time 
limited.  The commissioner will be appointed by the CNSOPB, both promoter 
and regulator of oil and gas, a direct conflict of interest.  The TOR call 
for the Commissioner (not yet announced but expected to be a Cape Bretoner) 
to complete his work and report no later than 250 days from the confirmation 
of the TOR.  250 from start to finish.  All the hearings, all the evidence, 
and all the commissioner's deliberations and writing of the report in 250 
days.  It brings new meaning to "quick and dirty."

We need coordinated action around the review, and it is very important to 
work on getting more than one commissioner, good commissioners, and meetings 
held on PEI {and Halifax}.

We need as many letters in to the ministers about the narrow terms of
reference. Unfortunately (but expected), there is no room for looking at the 
bigger policy questions:  Should we even be exploiting these reserves at 
this time or ever? Where does this activity put us vis a vis international 
commitments on fossil fuel reduction?  What about the interference with 
Ocean Act goals and activities?

VOICE YOUR CONCERNS about this and aim your fire at the federal government.

CNSOPB is now under the Canadian Environmental Assessment Act (CEAA). The 
feds are paying for this hearing in cost-sharing with the province.  
Minister Anderson's personal history is in protecting coastal areas from oil 
and gas spills in BC.  Let's deluge his office with calls and faxes and 
demands that he ensure that the CNSOPB be required to operate under CEAA 
rules.  Also pressure Goodale, whose office thought the process would be 
CEAA-like and Tobin who committed to push for a proper panel review. Letters 
to Dhaliwal make sense too.  And, for what it is worth, we must also send 
comments in to the CNSOPB.

Spread the word, we only have 30 days!!!!!

Cyndi Gilbert
Sierra Club of Canada

RSVP for more background information.


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