Federal Environment and Climate Change Minister Catherine McKenna is proposing to create a new scientific advisory panel with British Columbia to address concerns about the environmental risks of the Trans Mountain pipeline expansion project.
McKenna made the proposal in a new letter released on Thursday that was addressed to B.C. Environment Minister George Heyman.
The threat of diluted bitumen spills has been flagged as a major concern by scientists, First Nations and British Columbia. Bitumen is the tar-like heavy oil produced by Alberta’s oilsands companies, which support the west coast Trans Mountain pipeline since it would allow them to reach new markets.
“I understand that our senior officials have met a number of times over the past few months to provide further clarity and information on the Oceans Protection Plan, and on the science, including diluted bitumen, to discuss areas of concern to British Columbia, and to consider possible solutions,” McKenna wrote in the letter.
Mike De Souza – National Observer – April 26th 2018.
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