Dirty Tar Sands blasted for toxic effects

A US EPA worker takes samples in the aftermath of Enbridge's Michigan oil spill.

The Enbridge Northern Gateway proposal – a project that would carry dirty Tar Sands oil from Alberta and bring over 200 supertankers to BC's fragile North Coast – and Canada's Tar Sands have once again been put in the hot seat.

Soon after world-renowned University of Alberta scientist, David Schindler, released his report on the toxins found in the Athabasca River, deformed fish were discovered in the river (CBC, September 17, 2010). While the Alberta government continues to fish for answers, a 'First Nations leader said it is time for the Alberta government to step aside and let Ottawa take over. Regardless of jurisdictional oversight, only a credible independent review will suffice."

Last week, Enbridge got slammed at the Congressional hearings for the Michigan oil spill (Globe & Mail, September 16) when a briefing document revealed that:

"Enbridge received warnings of 140 corrosion defects on the line in June, 2008. It was ordered to repair them all within 180 days. It fixed 26 and determined that it might be cheaper to replace parts of the line than to repair some of the remaining problems. A further test in 2009 found 250 defects. Enbridge fixed 35. The 329 unresolved defects were not addressed. Less than two weeks before the Michigan line burst, the company filed a request to continue operating in that way for a further 2½ years. Company tests had found evidence of potential problems at the location of the eventual leak near Battle Creek, Mich. But Enbridge believed the problem was so small that it was not required to fix it."

CTV Vancouver also aired a 3-day special on the work of the International League of Conservation Photographers to promote awareness about the Great Bear Rainforest and bring attention to the risks of a catastrophic oil spill from Enbridge's proposed Northern Gateway Pipeline project. See the clips below:

Part I – Mixing oil and beauty in B.C.

Part II – Saving the world with photographs

Part III – Environment vs. economy in Kitimat, B.C.