The National Energy Board (NEB) is continuing its undemocratic approach to pleasing its master: the oil industry. Most recently, the Calgary-based rubber stamp is trying to use the summer to hide yet another concession. On July 11th the NEB said it was going consider a request from Imperial Oil and Chevron to weaken the rules for offshore drilling in the Arctic and gave the public until August 1st to comment (some strong arguing won an extra two weeks).
This is what 300 scientists are saying about the Northern Gateway environmental assessment:
JUNE 17, 2014
Today the federal cabinet approved the Northern Gateway Tar Sands pipeline. It’s a decision that could define our times. We are witnessing the final stages of a protracted wrestling match between our future and our past.
Sierra Club Peel Group is a group of concerned citizens who volunteer their time to carry out environmental campaigns and conservation projects within the Peel Region. The group's aim is to educate and empower the residents of Peel to be defenders and responsible stewards of the natural environment. The Peel group is currently working on five project areas:
Natural Capital refers to the stock of natural resources and environmental assets, and how they contribute to building healthy communities. The Natural Capital perspective is a way of placing a monetary value on the benefits, known as ecological goods and services, that nature naturally provides to humans. Examples include: regulating climate, water purification, erosion control, flood protection, and providing health benefits.
Natural Capital is a way of communicating how much nature is worth, in the hopes to make better policy and development decisions in the future.
In Ontario, coal power plants supply approximately 10% of the energy used to power factories, homes and businesses. However, the negative environmental effects of burning coal are well known: increasing CO2 and methane concentrations in the atmosphere and release of toxic heavy metals.
As the world grapples with climate change, the Alberta government is poised to grant approval to a new coal-fired power plant without even holding a public hearing.
Please take a moment and send a letter to Premier Ed Stelmach and the Alberta Utilities Commission to let them know you oppose Maxim Power Corporation’s plan to build a 500-megawatt plant near Grande Cache, Alberta.
This one mega-coal plant would generate three million tonnes of greenhouse gas emissions per year (the equivalent of adding 590,000 vehicles to the road over its 45-year lifespan) and discharge mercury and pollutants responsible for smog and acid rain.
Even the oil giant EnCana said it’s bad idea.
