Proposed energy corridor comes under scrutiny

One of the key planks of the Liberal Governments speech from the throne last week was a proposed energy corridor that would run from Prince Rupert to Prince George. While not much in the way of explanation was provided during the speech, the prospect of such a major project has begun to stir more than a few local politicians to contemplate what it may all be about.

Mayor Herb Pond is hopeful that it may bring increased Hydro Electric power to the North coast, a vital requirement for any future growth. While NDP MLA Gary Coons fears that it may be the beginning wedge that would mean a Trans shipment terminal for oil and chemical tankers, despite a current moratorium on tanker traffic along the coast of B. C.

First Nations leaders are no doubt curious about the necessary discussions that will be required with the 17 different traditional territories that the proposed corridor would cross.

Thursday’s Daily News provided some indication as to the curiosity that the Liberal’s brief introduction has provided. They covered the reaction to the corridor proposal as the front page story.

POLITICIANS CLOSELY WATCH 'ENERGY CORRIDOR' CONCEPT
Unsure of what to expect, they offer varied perspectives on merits of idea
By Leanne Ritchie
The Daily News
Thursday, February 21, 2008
Pages one and two

The provincial Liberals are touting a new energy corridor between Prince Rupert and Prince George, however there's little evidence of the project in the budget, said North Coast MLA Gary Coons.

"We're talking about government taking on the responsibility for developing a corridor that companies will then be able to utilize," Prince George-Omineca MLA John Rustad said.

The corridor will have to cross 17 different First Nation traditional territories and will require extensive consultation, however Prince Rupert Mayor Herb Pond said the project is needed in order to allow for industrial development, particularly in Prince Rupert, which is currently fed by a small hydro line.

In the past, industrial project proposals have been hampered by a lack of energy available in the community.

Coons said when he hears about the "energy corridor" he reads it as "pipelines and transmission lines".

"This seemingly harmless language means that the government is pursuing to work with First Nations and fast-track environmental assessment for energy projects in the North, 'streamlining' the process for their friends in the oil business," said Coons.

"Up to this point in time, the greatest obstacle to tanker traffic and oil spills on our coast has been the determination of First Nations and their opposition ... so it seems logical to push a corridor through to undermine First Nations ability to have input into individual projects," said Coons.

He said he is concerned the new "corridor" would grant a general right of way for energy transmission -either oil, gas or condensate pipelines or power-lines and "pave the way for tankers along our coast, despite the tanker moratorium."

Meanwhile, several NDP MLAs have been using the trite response made by Transportation Minister Kevin Falcon last week to characterize the Liberal sentiment towards all the needs of the Northwest in Tuesday's budget.

They say it was clearly delivered by Cabinet Minister Kevin Falcon last week, when he responded to concerns about forest mismanagement and increased ferry fares with two simple words, "Boo Hoo".

"In this week's budget, Campbell acted upon those words. He delivered absolutely nothing but an insult to rural B.C." said Robin Austin, Skeena MLA and the New Democrat Critic for Rural Issues.

"Campbell's budget completely ignores the crisis in the forest industry and the hundreds of people who are losing their jobs. But he gave a $220 million tax break to the big banks and $327 in subsidies to oil and gas companies."

Austin noted the 6,000-word speech contained virtually no references to rural B.C., continuing what he said was Campbell's record of dismissing the serious challenges facing communities from Campbell River to Kamloops to Fernie to Prince George.

"Last week, the Transportation Minister was making fun of the problems rural B.C. is having, calling out 'boo hoo' in the Legislature when MLA Doug Routley was highlighting the challenges faced by communities outside of Metro Vancouver," he said.

Austin said the provincial government's carbon tax will hit rural B.C. especially hard, given the lack of alternatives to driving in smaller communities.

"Premier Campbell made a big deal about naming small-town B.C. 'the Heartlands,'" said Austin. "But this budget proves he cares more about slogans than getting results for B.C. families."

Coons also noted that there was nothing in this budget to make good on the Liberal promise to support Phase II development of the container port or the energy corridor between Prince Rupert and Prince George to support industrial development.

There's $10 million for the Green Ports Initiative but not much there for those looking for a real commitment to the Northern corridor, he said.

The BC Green Ports Initiative includes $30 million commitment during the next three years to implement emission reduction practices for short haul commercial trucks and to fund port electrification.

Austin called the budget a huge disappointment for ignoring many of the real challenges facing working British Columbians.

With files from CP