Adrian Dix: Vancouver should not become a major oil port

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      People know that the NDP has taken a clear position on the Enbridge Northern Gateway pipeline. We believe it is not in the economic or environmental interests of British Columbia.

      We also believe the Liberal government made a mistake by signing over decision-making authority to the Harper government in Ottawa. It is not acceptable that the Harper government’s decision on Enbridge has become the decision of the people of B.C.

      That’s why in the first week of an NDP government, we will take back that decision making authority. We believe that that is the appropriate approach—that a decision that has so much impact on the economy and environment of British Columbia should be made here in B.C.

      Of course, the Enbridge pipeline isn’t the only pipeline proposal B.C. faces. Kinder Morgan has a proposal currently in the pre-application stage. Kinder Morgan has an existing pipeline, which has been used largely to serve the west coast market, including the Chevron refinery in Metro Vancouver and other refineries such as Cherry Point in Washington State. Only about 80,000 barrels per day of the current pipeline is exported via tanker from Vancouver.

      The Kinder Morgan proposal as we understand it, would dramatically transform what that pipeline does and would dramatically transform the Port of Vancouver. The Kinder Morgan pipeline would become a pipeline designed for oil sands bitumen export, with increasing dramatically the barrels per day passing through the Port of Vancouver via tankers.

      We have to wait to see a formal application, but I don’t think that the Port of Metro Vancouver, as busy and as successful as it is, should become a major oil export facility.

      We will conduct a made-in-B.C. review of the Kinder Morgan proposal and decisions will be made here in B.C.

      Our position is clear: we do not believe any proposal should transform Vancouver into a major port for oil export.

      In this election, more of the same means Stephen Harper decides what’s right for B.C. Change for the better means a made-in-B.C. approach to protecting our environment and our coasts.

      Comments

      20 Comments

      David L.

      Apr 22, 2013 at 5:44pm

      So Mr Dix just what would you do and where exactly would you put such a facility ? given that the application is approved ??
      Or , is this statement of yours just "Pre Election" posturing B.S. ??

      gar

      Apr 22, 2013 at 5:58pm

      The start of the way to the bottom. Will the people of B.C be foolish enough to put another NDP in power. They once again will bring the province to its knees pleasing special interests while the real workers leave the province. Dix couldn't organize a drunk in a brewery.we will soon be the laughing stock of Canada.

      Jo Colley

      Apr 22, 2013 at 6:19pm

      What is it exactly you want to make money for BC? It seams you are against everything, tourism wont generate money if people cant afford to take vacations because they are out of work. Teachers - great - our kids need better education but it does not generate income. We NEED industry, be it mining, forestry, pipelines, really it isnt all bad and we do need to generate something!!! Try and be positive and constructive, I'm still undecided.

      PJ

      Apr 22, 2013 at 7:25pm

      Let progress go by,as oil will always be in demand,even Suzuki uses it,so why not make money for BC .

      G.J.W.

      Apr 22, 2013 at 8:57pm

      The Campbell/Clark BC Liberals thieved and sold everything of value out of BC. Nor, do we forget Harper's part in the destruction of BC. As a result? Tourism is heavily relied on, as an important industry. BC just can't afford an oil spill. Vancouver is a favorite tourist destination. An oil spill in a harbor, would kill that city.

      The channel going into Kitimat Port is where, the Humpback and Orca Whales live. The Great Bear Rain Forest, is along the same channel. That is where, the Spirit Bears live. People from all over the world, come to Whale watch. Tourists come to watch, the Bears fishing for Salmon. Everyone is watching for a sighting, of the Spirit Bears.

      There has been enough dirt done, to BC and the people. Most BC citizens are supporting the F.N. people as well. Their food sources are also endangered. They depend on their hunting grounds, their lakes, river's and streams for Salmon and other fish for food. F.N. citizens, can't afford an oil spill either.

      Adrian Dix and the NDP, are in for a very tough time. The BC Liberals have made a terrible mess of BC. The NDP certainly don't need an oil spill, to deal with either.

      devils advocate

      Apr 23, 2013 at 7:52am

      same old NDP culture of negativity: they are against this...against that....wont allow this...wont allow that

      Mike Priaro

      Apr 23, 2013 at 7:53am

      Dix didn't say he was against the TransMountain expansion, only that he doesn't want to see Vancouver become a major port for the export of raw bitumen as dilbit.

      Let's straighten out the terminology once and for all.

      What underlies 54,132 square miles of land in northern Alberta is neither "oilsands" as used by proponents or "tarsands" as used by opponents but bitumen-coated sand.

      Bitumen is dark and thick like cold molasses, and does produce some tar once processed, but it is not tar.

      Neither is it oil until upgraded to a suitable refinery feedstock like syncrude which requires further refining into useable oil products. Get it? Raw bitumen, then dilbit or syncrude, then oil. Tar, or asphalt, is produced only in relatively small quantities at upgraders and refineries.

      Dilbit is a mix of raw bitumen and solvents that drives environmentalists into a tizzy, with justification, because if spilled into water, the raw bitumen, unlike all other crudes and oils, soon sinks making it difficult and expensive, if not impossible, to clean up.

      The Deltaport in Tsawassen already has a coal terminal and a container terminal and a ferry terminal nearby.

      Build a short pipeline to a new marine terminal at Tsawassen. That eliminates all large marine tanker traffic in Vancouver's inner and central harbours and Burrard inlet.

      Insist that no dilbit is carried by the TransMountain pipeline, only conventional crudes, syncrude and upgraded bitumen - none of which sink in water or require solvents to be pumped.

      Perhaps also relocate the Chevron refinery to Delta and re-build it to world-leading environmental standards.

      Make no mistake the bitumen will be extracted if economics permit. Stop attacking the sympton, the extraction of bitumen, and start attacking the disease, the demand for hydrocarbons.

      However, without hydrocarbons, it is doubtful you and I would exist or could continue to exist. Of course we need to do better environmentally - the wealth of Alberta's bitumen will help us get there.

      For a complete discussion of the ownership, extraction, physical properties, upgrading, pipelining, refining, distribution, marketing, and export of bitumen and the associated economic, environmental, engineering and energy security issues see:

      http://www.behance.net/gallery/A-CANADA-FIRST-CANADIAN-ENERGY-STRATEGY-(Ver-20)/5808629

      Pat Crowe

      Apr 23, 2013 at 8:48am

      Adrian in order for your policies to work you will need resource income. The options for generating revenue in a resource based province and economy are pretty clear.
      If you hammer the taxpayer whom already pay 43% of their annual income to federal and provincial taxes you will ensure a one term run in office. The infrastructure for the pipeline is already in place and has been for decades. It is simply to be twinned. Don't let the minority green birkenstockers sway your judgement for the economical future of this great province.
      I intend to vote for you this time. If my tax burden increases signifigantly after you are in. Next round I and the majority will vote you out. Listening?

      Skeptic

      Apr 23, 2013 at 8:50am

      Good. We can't eat Crude Oil. Lets NOT Destroy the remaining Environment here and contribute to GHG Emissions which is slowly killing the life out of this Planet.

      In any event the primary beneficiary of Oil exports are the mega oil Corporations & Human Rights & Gross Environment Violating Communist China not the people of BC.

      of course

      Apr 23, 2013 at 11:46am

      that being said we should all have access to as much oil, and oil related products we want.