December 17 2008 » Media Releases » Citizens Concerned About Coalbed Methane
BC Communities Unite Around Coalbed Methane Action Plan
December 17, 2008 (Vancouver) – A coalition of citizens’ groups has launched a
province-wide campaign around a five-point action plan they say could end the
current stalemate on coalbed methane development.
“Across B.C., coalbed methane projects are being delayed or stopped by local
conflict because residents lack confidence in the province’s approval process and
regulations,” said Ted Ralfe, spokesperson for CCCBM-East Kootenay. “The
action plan we’re proposing is a way to restore public confidence and create a
more certain investment climate for companies.”
The coalition, Citizens Concerned About Coalbed Methane, released its five-point
plan on a new website, http://www.concernedaboutcbm.org. The plan, “Building a safe
future for CBM,” calls for the following –
1. Suspend CBM drilling across B.C. until four key policy improvements are in
place:
2. Local communities have a clear say in deciding where and how CBM projects
proceed
3. CBM projects undergo mandatory environmental assessments that address
cumulative impacts
4. “World-class” CBM regulations promised in B.C.’s Energy Plan are fully
implemented and enforced
5. Sufficient funds are dedicated to independent baseline research and to
proving the safety of “world-class” technologies.
“We acknowledge that once sound regulations are in place, CBM drilling can
occur safely in some places,” said Shannon McPhail, Executive Director of
Skeena Watershed Conservation Coalition. “However, the approval process must
start with the question of social license, and projects should proceed only if there
is broad public support.”
Today’s campaign launch follows a mixed-bag announcement from the B.C.
government earlier this month, which put the brakes on CBM drilling in the
Sacred Headwaters while greenlighting another controversial CBM project in the
Elk Valley.
“This kind of contradictory decision-making highlights the need for a consistent
approach to approving and regulating CBM projects across the province,” said
Sol Allison, Director of Save Our Similkameen. “Government has already made
some progress towards better standards for CBM. We’re calling for a province-
wide pause on new drilling to allow the full action plan to be implemented.”
B.C. residents and organizations are invited to sign on to the action plan at
http://www.concernedaboutcbm.org and show their support for a consistent,
responsible approach to CBM across the province.
“We think industry will also be interested in this action plan, because it would
increase investor confidence and allow good projects to proceed safely and
smoothly,” adds Ted Ralfe. “Today’s band-aid approach serves neither CBM
companies nor communities in the long run.”
Coalbed methane projects have been or are currently proposed in B.C.’s Elk
Valley (British Petroleum), Similkameen Valley (Petrobank), Sacred Headwaters
(Royal Dutch Shell), Hudson’s Hope area (Hudson’s Hope Gas, Royal Dutch
Shell), Vancouver Island, and Telkwa.
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Contact:
Ted Ralfe – Citizens Concerned About Coalbed Methane-East Kootenay
(250) 423 6844
Shannon McPhail – Skeena Watershed Conservation Coalition
(250) 842 2494
Sol Allison – Save Our Similkameen
(250) 293 1047
