Busy week writing letters to the Canadian Nuclear Safety Commission. It's a futile thing really, but it's our job to shout for justice. I have always imagined myself as Henry Fonda staring down the 11 other jurors and, in only 90 minutes, turning an 11-to-1 guilty vote to 12-to-0 not guilty.
Maybe that's why I mount my trusty steed and, with a shout to Sancho to fix my grammar, knock out another submission, statement, press release or letter.
If you speak the truth eventually you will be heard. Everyone needs a philosophy. This is mine.
I think my next project will be a funding application to the Alberta government. Apparently, while the premier has been spending thousands on tar sands propaganda the culture minister has been funding the documentary Dirty Oil.
I'd like to organize a cultural exchange with Vanuatu so the people of the island state see first hand the indifference of the oil industry...
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August 31, 2010
Dear Mr. Binder,
I have reviewed Mr. LeBlanc’s response to my letter to you. He suggests I misunderstood the role of the CNSC staff in providing advice to the tribunal for consideration and that “the Commission tribunal is a quasi-judicial administrative body with independent members who make fair and transparent decisions based on all evidence presented to them.”
“All evidence presented to them” is the key to a fair and transparent process. We have asked for an opportunity to ensure
all evidence is presented to the tribunal, but the timing and rules preclude that from happening. Unless these two issues are addressed, the tribunal will have only the evidence of Bruce Power and CNSC staff before it when it makes a decision. All Sierra Club Canada asks for is a fair hearing. Under the present circumstances we are not confident the public will receive one.
...
A new study led by University of Alberta ecologist Dr. David Schindler and published in the renowned Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences makes some alarming conclusions about the water near the tar sands. After monitoring 60 sites along the Athabasca River and its tributaries, Dr. Schindler concluded the tar sands have added carcinogenic toxins to the area environment.
The toxins are higher in concentration close to, and downstream from, the epicentre of tar sands refining near Fort McMurray. The study focuses on 13 toxic substances explicitly linked to tar sands development, which are toxic even at low concentrations. Included in the list are heavy metals such as mercury and lead.
Dr. Schindler’s conclusions contradict industry and government claims that the toxins are naturally occurring. They also slam industry-led monitoring groups and make the case for more thorough oversight from Environment Canada...
Look out - the oil companies are going to be demanding another reward for bad behaviour.
The burst pipeline that leaked a million gallons of Alberta crude into the Kalamazoo River remains closed after US authorities turned down a restart. Turns out they couldn't verify it was safe.
Now Endbridge, fearing its line through Superior, Wisconsin might not be up to snuff, has reduced the pressure in the pipe. This cuts back the amount of crude flowing to Sarnia refineries even more.
So look out. Here comes a supply/demand argument for a bump in the price at the pumps.
Why is it only the oil industry can get away with this?
Sierra Club Canada agrees with the CNSC on the topic of the transport of the Bruce Power steam generators. There is “value to ensuring both a proper understanding of the scope of this undertaking and presentation of accurate information relating to the health, safety and risk.” It is also important to maintain public confidence in the environmental assessment process and the CNSC.
As a result of the recent changes to the Environmental Assessment Act, the CNSC has additional environmental assessment responsibilities. Sierra Club Canada and numerous other environmental organizations strongly opposed making such fundamental changes to environmental protection within a budget bill. The government, however, assured Canadians the changes will increase and improve environmental protection. Although skeptical, Sierra Club Canada hopes the changes will make the CNSC a stronger and more responsive agency.
The Notice of Public Hearing...