In BC, the tar sands are being supported by a wide range of existing and proposed infrastructure that is supporting current production in the tar-sands and is critical to the expansion of this production.  While many politicians are trying to represent provincial policy as supporting a “green” economy, the public is largely left un-informed about how the province is supporting one of the most environmentally disastrous project in history.  Pipelines, refineries, storage farms and ports in are all utilized to support tar-sands products coming from Alberta.  Furthermore, BC is also being utilized as a source of energy (Natural Gas and Hydro) to support the high levels of energy required for the tar-sands extraction process.

The expansion of the BC infrastructure supporting the tar sands is centered around two pipeline projects.  The first is the Trans-Mountain Pipeline Expansion (TMX) by Kinder Morgan that is to occur along an existing pipeline that runs from Edmonton, via Jasper and Kamloops, to ports and refineries in Burnaby and Puget Sound (Washington State).  Tar sands crude is already being delivered to tankers through the Westbridge Terminal in Burnaby while refineries (such as Chevron) in Burnaby are looking to upgrade and expand their operation in order to accommodate the processing of tar sands crude.  The second pipeline is being proposed by Enbridge Gateway Pipelines to deliver tar sands crude to the port in Kitimat which would require tankers to carry the crude through the Douglas Channel, violating a moratorium that has been in place to protect the very sensitive eco-system of the channel.

Transport, storage and processing of tar sands crude leaves local eco-systems at risk of contamination by products that are much more toxic than conventional crude oil.  The “heavy oil” of the tar sands will certainly have a more negative impact on the environment due to the hundreds of leaks and spills that occur every year along the gas pipelines as well as the more toxic emissions and waste produced by refineries processing tar sands crude.

More Information Coming Soon…