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July 15 2008 » News Clippings » Terrace Standard

Anti drilling folks rally tonight

Published: July 15, 2008 6:00 AM
Updated: July 15, 2008 9:30 AM

LOCAL PEOPLE opposed to Shell’s plans to drill for coalbed methane natural gas in the Klappan area northeast of here will be joined at a rally tonight by Hazelton and Smithers area residents.

At least one bus full of people is expected to make the trip west for the rally starting at George Little Park at 5 p.m.

The rally is timed to Shell hosting a two-day open house at the Elks Hall in Terrace. Today is the second day of the open house. It’s doors open at 2 p.m. and close at 8 p.m.

Those at the rally, after listening to a number of speeches, will march from the park across the Sande Overpass and to the Elks Hall.

Shell’s plans to drill in the Klappan are being opposed by environmental groups and some Tahltan who say it’s not worth the environmental risk.

Coalbed methane natural gas is located next to coal seams and can be held in place by water.

That water needs to be pumped out to free up the gas but the water can be poisonous.

Shell drilled three wells in the Klappan in 2004 before running into opposition. Its wants to drill more than a dozen this year, the first time it will have rigs in the Klappan since 2004.

Shell says its drilling is exploratory and that it first needs to find a commercially viable amount of coalbed methane before making any decision to go into production.

The company’s open house is one of series planned across the Northwest this summer.

Rally speakers include Skeena Bulkley Valley NDP MP Nathan Cullen.

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