FortisBC's TiLBURY 2 LNG expansion project: Official Public commentary

(My public comment on FortisBC's Tilbury 2 LNG expansion)

[Sign handmade by me ©️Saz-C]

Besides Tilbury LNG's significant cumulative effects and fundamental flaws - including  Project splitting, Failure to address GHG targets, Methane emissions 86X deadlier than C02, Lack of data on Economic viability, Marine shipping impacts incl. likely extinction of southern resident killer whales and salmon populations, Impacts on Indigenous rights and title - my chief concerns address your govt's baseless hopes that future LNG sales will justify BC's expanded natural gas production - along with the assertion (echoed by PM Justin Trudeau) that BC produces “the world’s cleanest natural gas.”

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The fiction of BC producing clean fossil fuel originated with Premier Christy Clark’s Liberals - a claim as dishonest as Clark's promise that LNG would reward the province with one trillion dollars in a “BC Prosperity fund.”  I.E. irrefutably FALSE.

National Geographic examined “the cleanest liquefied natural gas in the world” and concluded it was a hypothetical notion repeatedly promised by political leaders to build public support for the fossil fuel, as quoted here:

"There’s no such thing as 'clean natural gas.' It’s a fossil fuel, and it releases climate-disrupting greenhouse gases all the way up and down the chain of production, from the wellhead to the burners on your stovetop or in your furnace.

"This is especially true for LNG. In order to ship it, energy companies must first chill the gas to -160°C (-256°F) in giant coastal plants that are essentially industrial-size freezers. The process consumes vast quantities of energy. After it’s shipped across the sea, companies then return the LNG to its gaseous state before shipping it off to customers.

"Because of these extra steps, LNG carries a whopper of an energy and carbon footprint compared to unadulterated natural gas." [End National Geographic quote]

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Both natural gas producers and transportation companies conceal the true climate impact of LNG. The New York Times reported that shipping produces as much C02 as all of America’s coal plants combined. The newspaper explained why regulation of shipping emissions by the powerful International Maritime Organization (IMO) is so ineffective:

"The I.M.O. is a regulatory body that is run in concert with the industry it regulates. Shipbuilders, oil companies, miners, chemical manufacturers and others with huge financial stakes in commercial shipping are among the delegates appointed by many member nations. They sometimes even speak on behalf of governments…

"Next week, the organization is scheduled to enact its first greenhouse gas rules since Paris — regulations that do not cut emissions, have no enforcement mechanism and leave key details shrouded in secrecy…

"Although some suggest LNG powered ships could moderate transportation harm, the International Council on Clean Transportation determined there is no climate benefit from tankers burning LNG, regardless of ship engine technology." [End New York Times quote]

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The Natural Resources Defense Council states:

"Historically, gas has been considered a 'bridge fuel' — cleaner and with lower carbon dioxide emissions than coal or oil — and a potential tool to help address climate change.

"However, LNG is neither clean nor particularly low in emissions. In addition, the massive investments in new infrastructure to support this industry, including pipelines, liquefaction facilities, export terminals, and tankers, lock in fossil fuel dependence, making the transition to actual low-carbon and no-carbon energy even more difficult.

"Our analysis shows that using LNG to replace other, dirtier fossil fuels, is not an effective strategy to reduce climate-warming emissions..." [End NRDC quote]

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It is clear therefore that FortisBC is intent on inflicting a dirty polluting megaproject on hapless Lower Mainland residents, which will inevitably cause major health problems and bring deadly risks - especially to the thousands living near Tilbury 2's proposed plant amidst a densely populated, traffic-congested area.  The perspective of this risky industrial outfit, from the p.o v. of those living in immediate and surrounding areas, has barely been addressed in FortisBC's application.  It's as if the inevitable increased dangers and pollution - along with bad health, lower property values and reduced quality of life - do not matter to FortisBC.  And that is unacceptable.

In addition, the EAO has taken steps to ignore clear evidence of project splitting, and has accepted unsubstantiated and misleading representations made by FortisBC about the supposed benefits - climate-related and otherwise - of the Tilbury 2 project.  For further relevant information about this project's impacts, please refer to the following article from the In-sights blog by a long-time BC citizen:

in-sights.ca/economic-interests-rank-higher-than-human-life

I implore you to carefully consider the overwhelming effects and deadly risks of this LNG expansion project on BC's future - particularly as located in the midst of an already-congested high-density urban area.  Even without the risks of a catastrophic accident or failure, and before production is up and running, the effects of its construction alone would be deleterious in the extreme.

Accordingly, please do the right thing and reject FortisBC's Tilbury 2 project application.

Thank you very much.

SaRah (SaZ) ChesTeRman

HERE'S THE SITCH, PEOPS:

 (My reply to another short-sighted article LINK 2 ARTICLE that slams Canada's indigenous policies while promoting our most destructive & polluting practices..)  WHERE DOES IT END?  Well, here's the Big Pic kids..

Canada's 'resource-based' economy = extracting/ logging/ mining (STEALING), by THE most destructive, non-renewable & unsustainable methods, the natural 'resources' that sustain us (that we need to live) to supply other 'starter' economies around the globe with THEIR means to become self-destructing extinction cultures like ours -- & sustain the wealthiest co's/ people so THEIR (polluting & prodigious) needs are met!??

To illuminate this sick (doomed) scenario, see what dictator Pres. Bolsonaro & co. are doing in Brazil right now: driving indigenous native people from their territories; grabbing land/stealing Amazon rainforest to re-purpose for beef cattle, mining etc.; & igniting the last pristine 'Lungs of the Earth' while lining their accounts with the profits.. 

Well guess what?  That's exactly the basis for Canada's economy -- only we're much further along than Brazil, catching up to economies older than ours which are now mostly barren desert, by continuing those same ecocidal industries apace - despite science's dire & repeated warnings.. 

One would think we'd learn from past mistakes, as those former 'star' empires struggle now with droughts & famine & water shortages, having raped THEIR 'natural resources' that enriched THEIR long-dead ruling elite centuries before..

Canada's been among the world's richest economies for barely 150 years & look at the predicted results!  Our lying, thieving leaders have betrayed us -- & we're dumb enough to keep accepting the 'status quo''s continuation instead of wisely choosing ethical green leaders who'll make the changes needed to restore our forests (if there's any old-growth left) & make a viable future for our kids.. & their kids..!!???

LeTTeR to my BC MLA Re. GOVT. FRACKING SUBSIDIES

I am writing to express my  extreme dismay over the tax breaks Premier Horgan is committing to BC's LNG industry, as if this industry has been properly  researched & found to be a low-C02 answer to the climate emergency now underway:  it hasn't -- & it isn't.

The most recent IPCC report gives us only a decade to cut global carbon pollution in half.  But LNG Canada would be the most polluting project in BC, requiring thousands of new fracking wells in the northeast, as well as raising our GHGs to dangerous levels. CleanBC is clearly inadequate, as I & others loudly protested in vain, as it virtually guarantees BC will miss its targets if the expansion proceeds as planned.

While I work hard to reduce my carbon pollution & that of others, including switching to a 100% vegan diet & campaigning against mining/ logging/ plastics/ pollution, the provincial government wants to undo my efforts by building LNG Canada!?  What an insult to those of us who keep informed & updated of our province's progress..

In light of recent news about Canada's fracking/ pipeline/ waste woes --in addition to our poor performance re. climate issues-- giving huge tax breaks to establish a new fossil fuel industry is irresponsible -- if not utterly genocidal.

Please stand up to Premier Horgan & tell him to withdraw these insane subsidies to the fossil fuel industry --the very sector scientists blame for the climate crisis upon us!  Look up Genus (fossil-free) Capital & see examples of positive corporate change among us --& ask Premier Horgan to step up to the task at hand, per his sworn duties as Premier!

Personally, I don't know ONE person who thinks this Govt's reckless approval of new fossil fuel projects bodes well for BC's future/ economy.  Govt. needs to stand up to polluters & demand they pay for our necessary transition to clean renewable energy.. NOW NOT LATER!

Pandering to polluting fossil fuel corps is completely out of step with our commitments & requirements going forward, & holds us back from climate recovery & a sustainable future!  Informed BCers oppose such misuse of tax dollars as ominous assurance of failure to deal with the challenges & looming disasters plaguing our future sustainability. We feel helpless when all we can do is frantically write letters while watching our future health & prosperity --& those of our kids-- go up in smoke..

I therefore beseech you to use your position as MLA to effectively put forth these serious concerns & oppose any further spending on fossil fuels, esp. LNG.  Furthermore, it's noT unreasonable to take these polluting corps to court & enforce payouts due, for causing this climate hell that promises to worsen if we don't act now!  It's the very least we should do in our lifetime, while we still have a chance to turn things around..

(The alternatives are truly unthinkable. And Govt has run out of chances to right those wrongs & protect the people's interests..)

Thank you for your consideration & time, & in advance for taking action while  still in office..

(The Green Party is coming --to undo the Cons/ NDP/ Liberals damage that's led to this shameful point in history, due to reaping without sowing Nature's now-sorely-degraded resources --which our native First Nations had stewarded successfully for millennia:  SHAME!)

Letter to Govt via Nature.com

You can write a letter too, @ this link:
NATURE.COM

Here's mine (cuz i care):


Dear Premier Rachel Notley and the Bighorn Country consultation team,

I’m writing you to express my grave concern for the future you wish to build --ie. Honing status-quo [harmful] fossil-fuel developmemt & tar sands expansion:  We are at a crossroads where protecting old-growth forests & wildlife habitat is critical to our future existence -- noT destroying them to make room for more of what is killing us, ie. the cumulative CO2, GHGs & pollution exacerbated by fossil fuel extraction, fracking, tar sands etc..

I am asking you, for the sake of all our futures, to stop supporting deadly polluting projects -- & instead support the creation of a new provincial park to protect Bighorn Country. I believe we need a Wildland Provincial Park designation in the area that prioritizes wildlife habitat and responsible recreation.

The current proposed park boundaries, from Banff and Jasper National parks in the west to the Forestry Trunk Road in the east, are the best way to safeguard the area from development pressure and protect species-at-risk like Grizzlies, Bull Trout and Wolverines. Preserving our wild rivers, forests and mountains is a legacy for all Canadians, & ought to be your govt's top priority -- rather than honing yet more building/mines for polluting tar sands development/ expansion :  THAT is unacceptable today given the tenuous climate we are facing, along with Canada's pledged goals thereto, largely caused by the ravages of unsustainable industries - e.g.. forestry, fossil fuels, mining - on our environment, health & our very future..

Thank you for listening, & for prioritizing this important project.  Real Canadians care about our parks & wilderness, & we take our job as stewards of the land seriously.  We can no longer keep ignoring the toxic wasteland that's replaced carbon-sequestering oxygen-rich forests/ wilderness by the tar sands industry:  ie.   ie. A mega-calamity that will (& already has) put us in dire straits vis-a-vis emissions targets, future prosperity  & renewable-energy goals if allowed to grow unchecked:  that's not climate action!

What we need now is real leadership - ie. helping us transition into thriving sustainability, of which protecting wildlife & their habitat is a key part.
Please protect Alberta wilderness by creating this new provincial park - which will not replace the precious old-growth forest further north, e.g.. The Boreal - along with the legislation/ policies to ensure their protection.

Yes it's time for our leaders to focus on strengthening Canada's wilderness/wildlife protection laws, which are a woeful testament to years of stodgy old-boy politics preoccupied largely with corrupt wealth accumulation of the few &  unsustainable resource mgmt instead of building a prosperous thriving province for all.  Please don't be another backward economic-growth-addicted self-serving premier leading this province into ruin at the expense of our natural environment's health, upon which our own depends:  we cannot afford such idiocy at this critical point..

Yours sincerely,

Sarah (Saz) Chesterman
Vancouver, BC, Canada

CLeanBC: GovT's iNTeNT 2 FAiL Us ALL [Updated Jan 2019]

[My response to The BC Govt's 'Clean Growth Intent Papers' -- rhetoric for 'Business As Usual']

'Clean growth' is a purely political term which impLies change without acTuaLLy disrupting the existing order. While the Papers' intro/ summaries suggest Govt 'intends' to transition away from fossil fuel/ polluting industries & toward decarbonization/ renewables, its contents propose few if any ACTUAL changes to the current status quo.

So much for the internationally- accepted UN-supported 2020 deadline for drastic reductions in our C02/GHG emissions..m?rr.n

Abstract mentions of a "climate response" aside,  there are no indications ANY Govt measures taken up until now have done anything but worsen BC's l))l recorded fact.  Yet this 'Intent Paper' proposes NO NEW LEGISLATION - NO SOLID MEASURES that will mitigate effects of continuing approval/ use of polluters such as fossil fuels as our main source of power in all sectors -- construction, industry & transportation.

BC's Intent is apparently to CLAIM (=PRETEND) to support low-emissions/ renewable energy while continuing to allow for expansion of Alberta’s oil sands & BC’s fracked gas industries via new bitumen pipelines & LNG terminals.  According to these Papers, BC intends to continue its lax hands-off-biz M.O. of taking NO REAL MEASURES to lower GHGs, reduce our reliance on polluting fossil fuels oR properly incentivize ACTUAL 'Clean' energy (eg. 100% renewable Geothermal?)  A huge mistake..

Not even ONE SMALL MEASURE is planned to address BC's #1 critically endangered rainforests, to put an immediate stop to logging precious old-growth forest & protect their giant carbon-sequestering advantage (which turns into emitted C02 when logged, something we cannot afford) for future generations' very SURVIVAL..?  WTF #BCNDP..?

One can only conclude that the kind of continued 'Growth' intended by the BC Govt is ever-rising emissions, fires & pollution.. along with increasing ruin of efficient carbon sinks like forests & wilderness. With this obvious INTENT TO FAIL --including failing their responsibilities to Canada's constitution as Stewards of Nature-- I propose this provincial Govt resigns & gives the BC GREENS a chance to improve BC's future outlook:  it's evidently the only way to save BC from certain RUIN as laid out by past Liberal & present [equally unfit] NDP Govts' dereliction of duty, of which these latest 'Intent Papers' = documented proof thereof!? UNBELIEVABLE..

UPDATE JAN.4 2019:
So it's been put thru as 'CleanBC' & here's Sierra Club's Hannah Askew's MiLD too-tame review..
CleanBC-SierraClub'sResponse