B.C. mayors push to stop drilling
Energy firms seek coalbed gas
Canwest News Service
Saturday, September 27, 2008
VANCOUVER - British Columbians have ratcheted up their opposition to a proposed Shell Canada coalbed-methane project as a group of mayors unanimously approved a resolution demanding Premier Gordon Campbell halt the company's drilling.
At the same time, environmental groups are preparing to petition the B.C. government for a 10-year moratorium on all development of the unconventional gas resource, which has provoked anger -- and even one First Nations blockade of drilling equipment -- in the province.
"We've got rednecks, commercial fishermen, sport fishermen, First Nations, municipal leaders, you name it -- it's a broad spectrum of people who don't find this acceptable," said Doug Donaldson, the mayor of Hazelton, B.C., and a supporter of this week's resolution at the Union of B.C. Municipalities. "I don't think the provincial government can ignore this any longer."
Shell has drilled only three holes since it was awarded tenure over its Klappan coalbed-methane deposit in northwestern B.C. in 2004. This month, it announced a temporary suspension of drilling activity for the upcoming season in order provide information to local First Nations groups.
A poll taken earlier this year found that 70 per cent of northwestern B.C. residents opposes the company's work in an area that flows into three major rivers -- the Skeena, Nass and Stikine -- and called the Sacred Headwaters.
Coalbed methane is a form of natural gas locked inside coal. B.C. is home to huge deposits, but opponents argue that its production will bring "devastating" impacts to waterways, fish and wildlife, and provide little in exchange.
"We live in a small valley and when you have compressors and lines and roads criss-crossing it -- why would I want to do that for two or three permanent jobs?" said Randy McClean, the mayor of Princeton, B.C.
Petrobank Energy and Resources Ltd. is developing a coalbed-methane seam near the B.C. Interior town, although community concerns have forced it, too, to suspend its drilling schedule. Farther east, BP Canada Energy has been waiting since February for the provincial government to decide on a tenure application for a massive, 500-square-kilometre deposit near the Alberta border, with $15 million earmarked for environmental studies.
The province said the municipalities' resolution "will be taken under consideration."
