December 17 2008 » News Clippings » Oilweek Magazine
B.C. group calls for suspension of all coalbed methane drilling in province
VANCOUVER _ A coalition of B.C. citizens´ groups is calling for the suspension of all coalbed methane drilling in the province until better policies are put in place.
Citizens Concerned About Coalbed Methane is launching a provincewide campaign that it says will restore public confidence in the provincial energy project regulations and approval process.
Earlier this month, the province awarded BP Canada tenure for its contentious Mist Mountain project, near Fernie in the East Kootenay region, on the same day it announced a two-year moratorium on Shell Canada´s coalbed methane drilling in the Klappan area in northwestern B.C.
The coalition says local communities should have a clear say in deciding where and how coalbed methane projects proceed and the projects should undergo mandatory environmental assessments.
Spokesperson Ted Ralfe says industry should also be interested in their five-point action plan because it would allow good projects to proceed safely and smoothly.
Energy minister Richard Neufeld wasn´t immediately available for comment.
