The Strategists on how Alberta could trade a pipeline for B.C. electricity

There goes Christie's claim that she's concerned about the environment, and she's back to the "what's in it for me" position. That is if these talks are truly going on.

Problem is, the province isn't the big roadblock, first and second nations protests are. This would ignite a shit storm. And of course the electricity she wants to sell to Alberta relies on a dam being built that also has plenty of opposition. This could make war in the woods seem like a kumbaya fest.

That's the crux of the entire environmental debate thought. We'd be working on mitigation solutions already, if there weren't an active lobby of "but the !".

I'd think Clark would understand the native opposition though, and still see it an an opportunity to sell the electricity that BC doesn't need, in return for 'trying' with the FNs.

If I understand you correctly, on the others side are the "no mitigation is enough, so don't even try" crowd. My main concerns are that adequate marine response be committed to before there is any construction of the pipe. And adequate means a very high level. And, that the pipe company and who ever is in charge of shipping demonstrate they have an abundance of insurance or bonds in place to cover all possible expenses relating to a spill, including loss of economic activity. We'd be talking billions here, maybe 10 bil or so.

Just had a piece in the paper that most bands support the pipe. But a critical band was saying dam or pipe, not both, take your pick. And they can tie all this up in court for years, and if that fails get out protesters in huge numbers. And we only have electricity we don't need if site C is built, at them moment we are apparently a net importer of Alberta juice.

The proposal actually makes sense. Clean BC hydro for shipping dirty dilbit. But the safeguards have to be in place. And I think the Energy East project should be given priority - Canadians should be using Canadian oil.

If I understand you correctly, on the others side are the "no mitigation is enough, so don't even try" crowd.

Not to exclusion. There are many camps counter to the prospect of cleaning up the mess we've made, the economic side is just one colour of the rainbow.



I like the idea as well. Market for both products, two provinces working for each others benefit instead of against.

Now if only it were legal for me to buy BC wine and transport it across the border . . .