Pipeline rant

I have been following the debates concerning the construction of the proposed Kinder Morgan pipeline and others (Keystone, Dakota etc.) with interest finding them at various times to be both humorous and frustrating, filled with drama, comedy, lies and misinformation, and occasionally some truth.

While I applaud and support the defence of the environment I feel that in general we humans are in large part being naively steered in a direction that is geared more towards filling the pockets of those who benefit corporately and personally. The “protection” of the environment has sadly evolved into a huge money generating business where profit is king.

It is a proven reality that nations will require the increasing use of fossil fuels beyond the 2030’s and likely well into the 2040’s and that technologically newer alternative forms of energy simply cannot be developed and manufactured quickly or economically enough to satisfy the growing need. Also the carbon footprint claims of many of these so called “green” energy sources are still suspect and unproven. We must accept the fact that carbon fuels are the immediate future and ensure that we act responsibly.

As to the Kinder Morgan proposed pipeline and the environmental impact that has almost everyone rightly concerned there has been in my opinion a lack of unbiased reporting, mainly from the mainstream media, resulting in a generally misinformed emotional reaction from the public. Why do we rarely hear that only seven First Nations Communities oppose the pipeline while fifty one are in support? Where is the media coverage of the multitude of communities, corporations and individuals who will benefit greatly for years from this massive venture? 

Financially the benefits for B.C. and the rest of the country are massive.  If we want to help the environment we should be promoting North American fossil fuels or else “dirty oil” exporting countries with poorly or nonexistent environmental protection like Russia, Algeria, Venezuela and Nigeria will happily and profitability make up the difference. The North American oil industry has the highest and strictest standard of environmental regulations of all oil producing/exporting nations by far. In the 66 years that the existing Trans-mountain pipeline has operated only 9 leaks of more than 1.5 cubic meters have occurred. The alternative of shipping by rail or truck has a much higher incidence and risk of spillage. And in the future pipelines can be used to transport other commodities such as water or hydrogen from B.C. to points east when we finally wean ourselves away from oil.

Burrard Inlet tanker traffic will rise from the current 2% or so to about 12% of all current local commercial marine shipping and is also highly regulated unlike the vast majority of tankers currently operating in today’s global waters. A rapid response system must be developed and maintained. Concern for the environment is admirable and necessary but should be directed at much more dire global situations, plastic and garbage in our oceans, unsustainable overfishing, air pollution from poorly regulated third world coal fired power and steel producing industries etc. Other nations should aspire to reach Canada’s current carbon footprint.

By all means protest, but protest informed.

Roland Derks