Sounds like thetyee would be happy

If the pipeline and tankers were to transport synthetic crude oil instead of diluted bitumen.

But somehow I think not.

Perhaps this is an argument in favour of the Northern Gateway project where it is in an isolated area instead of a populated area.

But I don't think so.

good piece

But it isn't going to happen anyway

My bet is that Kinder Morgan will soon announce that it will apply for permits to construct a brand new oil export terminal somewhere near Roberts Bank, or, if that won't fly, it will do a deal with the owners of the Cherry point Refinery in Washington to expand their offshore terminals to handle additional VLCC tankers to carry the Canadian oil.

There's already a pipeline in place to Washington state -- no biggie to expand that capacity too.

Which will mean rather than the current 3-4 Aframax tankers a month through the second narrows, there'll be none.

Everybody happy now?

Didn't think so.

Total environmental destruction

Harper does not care if his actions result in the total destruction of the environment. He's a member of the Alliance church in Calgary and they believe in the apocalypse so nothing they do can or will change the future according to their religious views. Anything that happens is god's will which of course relieves Harper of any responsibility for his actions. How twisted is that? Plus we all know corporations don't give a dam about anything except profits. This combination of Harper's government and corporate control of him and his government is a deadly mix.

Bitumen

Mitchell,

You and Ed and Illahie plus Blackie are what Steven's Government warned me about. We can't let environmental concerns overshadow the corporate elite's CEO's, Board-members and shareholders right's to strip the economy of money wealth (bonuses etc) keeping the monopoly at the top and also thieving resources for Stephen's god of development, they don't belong to us and therefore we have no say in the matter period.

As for the fallout from the spill you can't see it from the CEO's house or Harper's so who cares? Not the Conservative Party the backbenchers are all sitting silently, drooling, waiting for their pensions and or cushy appointments and they couldn't care less about your whining. As one apt observer called them "A brick in the toilet tank of democracy" referring to Conservative MP David Wilkes:

http://www2.macleans.ca/2012/06/01/a-brick-in-the-toilet-tank-of-democracy/

When are you going to face facts the Harper Government does not care one iota about Canadian people or their values that they have spent over a century building. If you don't like it leave or find a home in a new jail built by Stephen for dissenters such as yourselves.

The environment is only there so the corporate and wealthy elite can plunder it. Steve's job is to give them the full weight of the law on their side and their side alone, you don't count. Forget about clean-ups as they are totally unnecessary as the Eco-system will eventually take care of the temporary problem in a million years or so. So what if the harbor becomes uninhabitable, then they can realize more tankers with no complaints.

Welcome to Harperland!

I'd be way more concerned about the chlorine plant

that's right next to the Second Narrows bridge. It used to be Hooker Chemical.

It's Time

It's time for some more native style blockades. We need to physically put a face to this opposition. I will be there and I will possess the means to make it count. I only hope others will join and together as British Columbians we can put an end to this pipeline. We need to tune in and tune out corporate media that sets a narrative for the 70%'rs out there that just dont have the will to do what's right.
We need to set an example. We need to make a stand. Bitumen is not acceptable. This pipe line is not acceptable. tripling Barrard tanker travel is not acceptable. We the people need to draw a line and hold firm.

using Esso CEO euphemism

I wish the writers here in The Tyee had more guts than use Esso CEO's euphemism for the TAR Sands. It's TAR! These writers should go north of Ft. Mac on a sunny day and compare the sky over Ft. Mac as that around Syncrude and Syncor. They'd have to then admit it's more TARRY than oily, with smell to match. Someday, injured workers may come forward with their horror stories. Or one day maybe the WCB might actually investigate workplace deaths up there and actually interview witnesses! WooOOOOoo! What a concept, eh?

Ed Deak

I thought that, according to you theoretical economic model, wealth could not be created. Why do you keep arguing against yourself?

The reality is that even if wealth can not be created it can sure be accumulated. It's a tough job but I guess somebody has to do it.

Dear readers; if one wants to

Dear readers; if one wants to read about tanker accidents and their affects just google Amoco Cadiz.

blackie

And this is all a very good thing. But the happiness bonus is, we can STILL charge Kinder Morgan & Enbridge a "transit fee" on the oil - plus a contingency fee for spill remediation. I figure $10/bbl for each should do it. Talk about a "win-win"!

Total Safety?

‘Industry representatives have assured local government that these tanker transits are done in "total safety,"’

This is scary—there is no such thing as “perfect safety.” Not in science. I would feel a little bit better if they told us what the possible damages were and their probabilities and which re-insurer (too big to fail) was covering the total project. That they never go to the private sector to evaluate the risks and are willing to risk their own capital tells me that it is ^NOT^ safe at all.

But I would still be against it for other reasons—like global warming.

"BCMike It's time for some

"BCMike

It's time for some more native style blockades. We need to physically put a face to this opposition"

Have you seen what happens when natives protest in this country, most racist shit ever. No the advantage of native style blockades is they are well coordinated, use force and do not back down without a hell of a fight.

Really though, articles like this are not helpful. As Tar sands related disasters go this one ranks at the bottom in terms of whats likely to happen. Much more likely is a land based spill or a tanker spill in dangerous waters off the North coast.

Ed Deak

Actually I have a copy of your dissertation that you wrote to get your Economist's degree, hence my question. Why one minute wealth can not be created and the next it can?

Of course that begs the question, does it really matter?

Sorry friend, I don't have an

Sorry friend, I don't have an economist's degree, or want one.

Plus, I've never said, or wrote, that wealth can be created. I have the proof in my 1991 copyrighted paper on the "Principle for the application of physical efficiency to economics".

I have been fighting against the presently used fraudulent definition of so called "economic efficiency", destroying humanity and the Earth with phony monetary figures, for over 25 years.

Where do you get your questionable information, on this and other things ? Anyway, I enjoy them, so keep them up. No hard feelings, we all need some funny breaks.

Ed Deak.

22,000 Barrel Bitumen Major Spill in Alberta

A major oil spill was reported last week in Alberta. This proves the claims of better monitoring and low chance of leaks are false. Say no to the pipeline, and stop paying subsidies to oil corporations to take our raw resources.

http://www.sunnewsnetwork.ca/sunnews/canada/archives/2012/06/20120601-205437.html

Let your MP know you are not in favour of a pipe line through BC.

The other Ed Deak

Hey Ed, snert has probably confused you with this other Ed Deak: http://www.edwardjdeak.com/index.htm.

Also, when he said "begs the question", what he really meant was "raises the question". http://begthequestion.info/

I know there are possibly a

I know there are possibly a couple of economic professors in the US with the same name and they must be cursing me with a passion, when somebody mistakes them for me.

Good for a laugh anyway.

Ed Deak.