Gov't release: new water standards for coalbed methane
COMMENT: Will there be a steady stream of such announcements through the week, or month? Why would an announcement like this come from the Premier's office?
And did you notice? They're using the term coalbed methane again. Have they abandoned years of attempts to rebrand the stuff as coalbed gas or natural gas from coal?
An injection requirement is probably good and it's a long time coming. The previous guidelines for produced water were a joke - there was no requirement, and streams were just as vulnerable after the guideline as before it.
But it's only part of what makes coalbed methane development so undesireable wherever it is proposed. The hundreds of wells, roads, pipes and other infrastructure required for coalbed methane remains. The fact of no local economic benefit remains.
In just about every area of BC where coalbed methane potential exists, the impacts on agriculture and tourism of coalbed methane development are ignored in the government's aggressive promotion.
On Vancouver Island in particular, impacts on aquifers and watersheds are already of serious local concern in just about every watershed from Campbell River south. The massive removel of groundwater required by any coalbed methane project would further imperil already dangerously compromised watersheds.
Telkwa and Vancouver Island also have coalbed methane potential in vulnerable salmon habitat - a value which must not be put at greater risk than it already is, especially not in the interests of the destructive extraction of a marginal resource.
How can production of coalbed methane reduce greenhouse gas emissions in the province, as Campbell says it will? It's stupid logic, like suggesting that smoking filtered cigarettes is the right way to address the health problems of smoking unfiltered cigarettes.
What might be most telling about Campbell's involvement in coalbed methane, and choosing today to make this announcement, is what it says about the consistency and/or sincerity of the government with its climate change agenda. One day after the Big Green Throne Speech, he's promoting coalbed methane and production of even more fossil fuels.
NEWS RELEASE
For Immediate Release
2007EMPR0007-000130
Feb. 14, 2007
Office of the Premier
Ministry of Energy, Mines and Petroleum Resources
ENHANCED STANDARDS ANNOUNCED FOR COALBED METHANE
VICTORIA - British Columbia will meet or beat best practices in North
America for commercially viable coalbed methane production and will be
the first jurisdiction in Canada, if not North America, to require no
surface discharge of "produced water" from coalbed methane, Premier
Gordon Campbell announced today on CKNW's Bill Good Show.
"Our province has enormous potential for the development of low carbon,
coalbed methane production that will reduce overall greenhouse gas
emissions on the Pacific Coast," said Premier Campbell. "However, our
government is aware of the legitimate concerns that British Columbians
have about how this resource is developed and we are determined to make
B.C.'s coalbed methane production the most environmentally responsible
in North America."
Today's announcement is another component of the Province's forthcoming
energy plan and builds on the announcements in yesterday's throne
speech.
The new leading standards include:
* Companies will not be allowed to surface discharge produced water. Any
re-injected produced water must be injected well below any domestic
water aquifer.
* Companies must use the most advanced technology and practices that are
commercially viable to minimize land and aesthetic disturbances.
* Companies must fully engage local communities and First Nations in all
stages of development.
Coalbed methane is a natural gas found underground between coal seams.
While the gas itself is clean, extraction may result in what is known by
industry as produced water. This produced water may contain high saline
and sodium content, making it unsuitable for agriculture or domestic
use.
There are currently no commercially producing coalbed methane gas wells
in B.C., however it has been identified as a potentially viable clean
energy source for the province. There are currently 134 test wells
throughout the B.C.
Campbell also announced that, as of today, all new electricity
generation projects in the province will have zero net greenhouse gas
emissions.
"This reinforces the high environmental standards already required for
the oil and gas industry," said Energy, Mines and Petroleum Resources
Minister Richard Neufeld. "British Columbians are telling us we must do
more as a government and as individuals. We will act to stem the growth
of global warming and minimize the impacts already unleashed by
establishing targets and actions and by working with our national and
international neighbours."
This builds on other climate change actions announced in yesterday's
throne speech:
* Effective immediately, B.C. will become the first jurisdiction in
North America, if not the world, to require 100 per cent carbon
sequestration for any coal-fired electricity project.
* The Climate Action Team will be asked to identify practicable options
and actions for making the government of B.C. carbon neutral by 2010.
* The new energy plan will require British Columbia to be electricity
self-sufficient by 2016.
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Media
contact:
Mike Morton
Press Secretary
Office of the Premier
250 213-8218
For more information on government services or to subscribe to the
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www.gov.bc.ca.
http://www2.news.gov.bc.ca/news_releases_2005-2009/2007EMPR0007-000130.pdf