Within the heated debate now going on regarding the Kinder Morgan Pipeline and project, I want to raise one point for readers: There is no way to contain the effects of a spill from the tankers under many of the conditions that they will encounter in Canadian waters.
• First, the research shown to the National Energy Board has been judged by many as flawed or wrong.
• Second, the winters here regularly present conditions of a 40 to 80 km wind and four-foot waves along the tankers’ route within Canada.
• Third, those same waters (Salish Sea and surroundings) are home to may kinds of seal life which support the employment for tens of thousands of Canadians (albeit the BC version).
• Fourth, the $1.5 billion dollars is planned by the federal government for spill containment and recovery. But how do you trap an oil spill off the surface when you have four-foot waves and high winds? You don’t.
• Fifth, the science I read suggests the dil-bit to be carried, once escaping the tanker, will sink to the bottom. Rather than just “disappearing”, the material will pollute the ocean and sea life for decades. Just ask the folks still trying to clean up the Exxon Valdez disaster from 30 years ago.
In short, there is no proven strategy to effectively clean up a spill from these tankers.
Based on several experts there will be an accident. So – what should B.C. do?
Ian Robertson
Oak Bay
