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Press Release
Sierra Club of Canada
January 11th 2005
Oil Companies show disdain for Mackenzie Gas Regulatory Process
Ottawa-Imperial Oil and its partner companies are showing disdain for
the regulatory process for the $7 billion Mackenzie Gas Project by
submitting inadequate environmental studies says Sierra Club of Canada.
"Preliminary reviews of the proponents' environmental impact statement
by the National Energy Board, Joint Review Panel, and government
scientists reveal hundreds of examples of non-compliance with the terms
of reference" said Elizabeth May, executive director of the Sierra Club
of Canada.
"Perhaps the oil companies think that federal political support means
that the megaproject will automatically be approved regardless of the
environmental harm it causes. We hope this is not the case. But for
whatever reason, the oil companies are not treating the environmental
assessment and regulatory process with the seriousness this project--the
largest ever in Canada's North--deserves."
Since the October 7, 2004 filing of the Mackenzie Gas Project
applications and environmental impact statement:
- 231 significant information gaps were identified in a December
17, 2004 summary report from a workshop of over 80 federal and
territorial scientists officials (so-called Joint Coordinating
Committee);
- A 21-page letter dated December 3, 2004 was issued by the
7-member Joint Review Panel for the Mackenzie Gas Project including 101
requests for additional information or reports from the proponents. In
addition, the Joint Review Panel demanded a complete rewrite of Volumes
4 and 6 of the EIS which deals with the Human Environment. The Panel
goes on to state that additional information will be required from the
proponents as the Panel continues its review of the EIS; and
- Five letters were sent by the National Energy Board to the
proponents requesting further information with respect to their licence
applications to construct the pipelines and anchor fields. Some of the
information sought by the NEB (such as pipeline design on slopes where
there is permafrost) is critical for assessment of environmental
effects.
"The summary report and letters show that government scientists and
regulatory staff are deeply dissatisfied with the applications and
environmental impact statement." said Stephen Hazell, Mackenzie WILD
project director for Sierra Club of Canada. "Given that the terms of
reference were only finalized on August 18, 2004, it is not surprising
that the environmental impact statement is so weak. Obviously the oil
companies did the bulk of the environmental studies before they even
knew what regulators wanted."
Sierra Club of Canada has also written to the Joint Panel Review
pointing out deficiencies in the environmental impact statement in
relation to greenhouse gas emissions and climate change. This letter
points out that EIS does not even bother to calculate greenhouse gas
emissions caused by project-related disturbance to wetlands and cutting
of forests, nor those from induced developments such as Alberta tar
sands and northern gas projects
"How is it possible that the greenhouse gas emissions from the Project
are not properly calculated when we know that the Arctic is already
experiencing some of the most rapid and severe climate change on earth,
with sea ice disappearing and extinction of polar bears and seals
looming? " asked Ms May.
"The Joint Review Panel must send Imperial Oil and its partners back to
the drawing board to ensure that they prepare a proper environmental
impact statement assessment before the technical review period commences
and before any hearings are scheduled. Governments and regulators must
not be bullied by big oil into any rush to judgment."
- 30 -
Contact:
Stephen Hazell, 613 241-4611 or shazell@sierraclub.ca
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