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Sierra Club Canada shocked at new tar sands proposal.
Media Releases | Sierra Club | Media Release | June 29, 2010
Read the full article on the originating site
EDMONTON – Despite widespread concerns about treaty rights violations,
health concerns and environmental impacts from existing Tar Sands
projects, the government of Alberta will be considering once again
another proposal for a huge tar sands mine and toxic tailings lake.
The project, proposed by oil and gas giant TOTAL, is set to go to
hearing on September 21st, 2010.
“It has barely been a week after the Syncrude guilty verdict, exposing
serious concerns with the lack of regulation and enforcement in the
tar sands and yet instead of slowing down and thinking about fixing
the problems, this government wants to push full steam ahead with more
development,” exclaimed Sheila Muxlow, Director with the Sierra Club
Prairie. “It is nothing short of irresponsible.”
The proposal includes a huge open pit mine and toxic tailings lake
just outside of Fort McMurray. Tailings lakes have been linked with
the poisoning of adjunct rivers and contributing to adverse health
effects in area communities. Last week, Syncrude’s tailings lakes were
linked to the deaths of over 1600 ducks in a landmark court ruling.
“It’s completely irresponsible for the government to consider another
tailings proposal especially given the gaping holes that were revealed
throughout the Syncrude duck trial,” said Sheryle Carlson, Associate
Director with the Sierra Club Prairie “If the government approves this
project it will have once again shown that its directives are
meaningless, its words hollow, and that tar sands companies call the
shots and write the regulations. It’s time the government stopped
forcing us down this toxic path and started building a green energy
future that we can all live and breathe in.”
Total’s proposal comes amid rising concern from local communities of
the health risks from tar sands projects. Concerned residents have
demanded that Alberta’s Energy Resources Conservation Board postpone
further development until studies are conducted on base line health
and cumulative effects in the region.
“It is only reasonable that we as a public would want to be fully
informed about the impacts of these projects,” said Ms. Muxlow. “Under
the present hearing process this isn’t even possible since the ERCB
does not look at cumulative effects, but rather views things on a
project by project basis.”
To date the ERBC has approved 100% of tar sands proposals.
Tagged with: pipeline, syncrude, fort mcmurray, total, tailings pond
