no pipeline, no tankers, no problem

"It is wrong for UBC to continue to profit from its investments in fossil fuel companies," faculty says

Two hundred and fifteen faculty members at the University of British Columbia have signed an open letter calling on the university to divest from fossil fuels.

"We are inspired by our students, who voted overwhelmingly in favour of divestment earlier this year," said UBC professor in Forest Resources Management George Hoberg.

On Monday, The UBC Faculty Association committed to hold a membership-wide referendum on divestment. Faculty members will vote in January on whether the university should immediately forgo further investments in fossil-fuel companies, and divest from existing fossil-fuel holdings within five years.....

http://www.vancouverobserver.com/news/it-wrong-ubc-continue-profit-its-i...

Let’s cut government fossil fuel subsidies and free up billions for more productive investment

This week in London, the Overseas Development Institute launched a new report on fossil fuel subsidies in G20 countries. The report encourages national and sub-national governments to stop subsidising wasteful and inefficient fossil fuel extraction and use, and to move towards more sustainable sources of long-term economic growth. It describes federal and British Columbia government subsidies to the fossil fuel sector as a “reckless use of public funds.” In addition to significant tax subsidies for domestic natural gas and coal exploration, Canadian taxpayers are also subsidising fossil fuel exploration abroad, via financing from Export Development Canada which provided approximately $3.2 billion in financial support for overseas fossil fuel exploration projects between 2012-14.

quote:

What does all of this analysis mean for Canada, and British Columbia in particular?  In British Columbia, tax subsidies and preferential policy towards coal, natural gas, and other mineral exploration have skewed the economy towards dependence on high-risk assets that rely on fluctuating international commodity prices. This is not a path to sustainable prosperity or value-added economic development.

With the US and China developing their own fully integrated natural gas systems, demand for BC gas is plummeting, as are global prices. Rather than rely on BC becoming a source of natural gas feedstock for the energy intensive and economically unsustainable extraction of oil sands in Alberta, perhaps the province should consider shifting its policy focus to the future, rather than digging us into a fiscal policy black hole taking us back to the 19th century?...

http://www.vancouverobserver.com/politics/commentary/let-s-cut-governmen...

[whoops old news lol]

12:45 pm update: Kinder Morgan has just arrived on-site

RCMP currently going up to the tree sit. First tree-sit resistance in decades! RCMP have cordoned off the area, supporters are surrounding.

Legal update: Eight of the twelve arrested have been released, all 12 accounted for, none of the twelve were taken to jail. They are being processed for release close by. So far they have been charged with civil (not criminal) contempt and will appear in Supreme Court in Jan.

..........

10:30 am update: Two arrestees have been released, including Kaleb and Erin. Four others with them are being processed to be released. They were not booked into jail, they were released into a parking lot. Our jail support team is going to pick them up.

........

9:45 am ARREST UPDATE AT BURNABY MOUNTAIN, share widely.

Police have been enforcing injunction as of past hour, we have confirmed at least twelve arrests including KALEB, ERIN, and ADAM who have been courageously defending this camp at Burnaby Mountain for months. Adam (Heiltsuk nation) is already a named defendant in the injunction.

There is also a tree-sit happening above Boreholl 2 to protect that site.

These land defenders need support, come up to Burnaby Mountain now and bear witness with this strong community. There is a public rally - which is completely safe - on the other side of the police line, everyone please come to the hill. Police have blocked road to traffic so you need to walk in and you will be informed to stay within 'protest area'.

.........

9 am update from Burnaby Mountain. Four arrests confirmed, six additional people are holding in the campsite and refusing to leave. There is a public rally - which is completely safe - on the other side of the police line, 30-40 people are here already, everyone please come to the hill.

..updates here

https://www.facebook.com/burnabymountain

...........

..police are on site en masse and have already made one arrest. more to come.

5 PM MEDIA ADVISORY

RCMP have arrested at least 24 Burnaby Mountain caretakers and supporters today, as police moved in to remove a long-standing protest presence against Kinder Morgan's pipeline survey crews.

Arrests include
- Sut-lut, a Sḵwx̱ú7mesh elder who started the sacred fire onsite
- Kaleb Morrison and Erin Flegg who have been at the site for months
- Adam Gold, a named defendant in Kinder Morgan's injunction and civil law suit
- A tree sitter who has been camped out on top of Borehole 2 drill site
- Tamo Campos, David Suziki's grandson who has been supporting the site for weeks.

Fourteen of those arrested have been released on civil contempt charges, the other ten remain in-custody.

Kinder Morgan crews, escorted by RCMP, are currently at the clearing and have begun work. The Burnaby Mountain caretakers are calling for an ongoing presence at the mountain, as well at the RCMP detachment at 6355 Deer Lake Avenue.

"We are sending a clear message that the pipeline will not be built on unceded lands without the consent of Indigenous nations and the approval of all those who love these lands," the group gathered has declared.

For photos and updates on the situation: https://www.facebook.com/burnabymountain

[url=https://ricochet.media/en/210/clayoquot-sound-burnaby-mountain]Clayoquot Sound 2.0: Burnaby Mountain[/url]

quote]Supported by the City of Burnaby and the broader community, these are not radicals, nor is their position a minority one. Quite simply, they are the warriors of their community, putting their bodies on the line to stop outside intruders from doing harm to the land they love.[/quote]

Not sure where to insert this latest news gem as we have multiple threads on pipelines, - but this seeemed a likely spot.  Maybe we should just open a generic "But what could possibly go wrong with a pipeline?" thread to keep track of these sorts pf stories.

Alberta Energy Regulator says pipeline spills 60,000 litres of crude into muskeg

The Alberta Energy Regulator says close to 60,000 litres of crude oil have spilled into muskeg in the province's north.

An incident report by the regulator states that a mechanical failure was reported Thursday at a Canadian Natural Resources Limited pipeline approximately 27 kilometres north of Red Earth Creek. The report says there are no reports of impact to wildlife and that a cleanup has begun...

http://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/alberta-energy-regulator-says-pipeline-spills-60-000-litres-of-crude-into-muskeg-1.2855077

..txs for that jas.

First Nations: NEB Kinder Morgan process unconstitutional

Constitutional challenges seem likely if the federal government approves Kinder Morgan’s Trans Mountain pipeline.

On Friday, Squamish Chief Ian Campbell presented a letter to the Harper government outlining the process’ defects. That letter, signed by twelve First Nation leaders, stated they are “wholly dissatisfied” with the Crown’s approach to consultation and called on the Crown to develop a meaningful consultation process.

The allegations of unconstitutionality include: failure to consult about the NEB process; use of written information requests rather than live cross examination of witnesses; insufficient capacity funding; and no guidance regarding how consultation will occur following the NEB’s recommendation....

http://www.vancouverobserver.com/news/first-nations-neb-kinder-morgan-pr...

Saudi Arabia Declares War on US Fracking, Hits Railroads, Tank-Car Makers, Canada, Russia; Sinks Venezuela

http://wolfstreet.com/2014/12/01/saudi-arabia-declares-oil-war-on-us-fra...

"While the US fracking boom is the official target, Canada's tar-sands producers are getting hit the hardest..."

Four reasons why the tar sands are in deep trouble

http://rabble.ca/columnists/2014/12/four-reasons-why-tar-sands-are-deep-...

Clark govt, Science World selling LNG Kool-Aid to kids

The BC Liberal government’s all-out push to build an LNG industry is extending into the province’s classrooms and the minds of its students. The latest partner in this effort, Science World, is co-hosting a series of community seminars in rural communities to educate students “about the fundamentals of energy science.”

Alongside presentations by Science World, an October government media advisory promises:

…young people will be able to talk with government and industry representatives and take part in Find Your Fit, an interactive event where grades 6-to-10 students get hands on experience with the skills needed for in demand jobs throughout the province.

Events have already taken place in Prince George, Fort St. John, Terrace and Prince Rupert – with upcoming dates in Squamish, Nanaimo, and Kamloops....

http://commonsensecanadian.ca/clark-govt-science-world-selling-lng-kool-...

Burnaby's legal battle against Kinder Morgan rejected by federal court

In a see-saw contest between the City of Burnaby and a $100-billion-Texas-based pipeline corporation, the municipality learned Friday its legal attack against Kinder Morgan will likely be heard in provincial court, not a federal one.

That’s because a federal appeal judge rejected the city’s application to hear its argument. 

“It’s a procedural hurdle, but sooner or later a court has to deal with this issue,” said the City of Burnaby’s lawyer, Gregory McDade, Q.C. on Friday.

At the heart of the issue is whether cities like Burnaby should have a bigger say in pipeline development in Canada, said the lawyer....

http://www.vancouverobserver.com/news/burnabys-legal-battle-against-kind...

CIJA: Israeli, Canadian Companies to Share Oil, Environmental Know-How

http://www.cija.ca/cooperation/israeli-canadian-companies-oil/

"Under a new agreement, Israeli research companies will be working with major oil companies  on oilsands environmental issues under the Canadian Oilsands Innovation Alliance (COSIA).

As part of its mission to have closer co-operation with Israel, the Harper government signed the 2013 Canada-Israel Strategic Partnership that called for more collaboration 'across the widest possible spectrum."

hasbara hustlers belly up to the trough for a piece of the greasy action...

What can an "ordinary" woman accomplish?

http://www.vancouverobserver.com/news/waterloo-woman-finds-neb-e-mail-la...

Though Lanteigne is not trained in engineering or law – (she waitresses in cafes for a living) – the citizen investigator has been doggedly researching Enbridge’s Line 9 pipeline for years.

....

She used MapQuest to report that the driving distance between the valves was 45 minutes.  Using “simple math,” she calculated that Enbridge would have a hard time containing a catastrophic oil spill into the waterway.

A standard spill leak, she told the board, of two percent of the pipe’s volume would release more than 1,000 barrels of oil into the water each hour.

...

Without much fanfare last month, the NEB denied Enbridge’s request to begin flowing oil on Line 9, citing the exact same shut-off valve concerns.

Oil Falls Below $50 As Global Financial Markets Begin to Unravel

http://investmentwatchblog.com/oil-falls-below-50-as-global-financial-ma...

First Nations leader calls on former AFN chiefs to quit Prince Rupert oil project

The leader of the most prominent B.C. First Nations group opposing oilsands pipelines to the north coast issued an ultimatum Wednesday to two former national aboriginal leaders.

Art Sterritt of B.C. Coastal First Nations said former Assembly of First Nations grand chiefs Shawn Atleo of B.C. and Ovide Mercredi of Manitoba should withdraw their participation in the $10-billion “world’s greenest refinery” project proposed for the Prince Rupert area.

If they don’t, Sterritt said, Coastal First Nations will launch an aggressive effort to discredit Pacific Future Energy’s project and their role in promoting it. Sterritt said his members don’t trust the company’s vow to build a project that doesn’t pose a major environmental threat.

Pacific Future is headed by Samer Salameh, an executive with the Mexican industrial conglomerate Grupo Salinas. The company announced in December that Atleo would assume the role of “senior advisor-partnerships” on the company’s senior management team.

quote;

Sterritt said First Nations leaders have muted their concerns out of respect for Atleo, a member of the Nuu-chah-nulth Nation on the west coast of Vancouver Island who stepped down as AFN leader last year.

But Sterritt said the gloves will come off if he can’t meet with Atleo and Mercredi and persuade them to abandon the company.

“I’m trying to set up a meeting and say, ‘hey guys, you’ve got a chance to bail on this or we’re coming after you,’” Sterritt said in an interview.

“We can’t allow them to pacify everybody, or make people in Alberta and everywhere else think that just because they’re involved that we’re all going to roll over here.”

http://www.vancouversun.com/business/First+Nations+leader+calls+former+chiefs+quit+Prince+Rupert+project/10709843/story.html#ixzz3OXIQqKpp

First Nation’s FIPA Challenge Rejected, Supreme Court Next?

A small B.C. First Nation’s duty-to-consult legal challenge of the Canada-China foreign investment promotion and protection agreement (FIPA) has been dismissed with costs for a second time, a few months after the Harper government brought the FIPA into force.

The Federal Court of Appeal delivered its 41-page reasons for judgment against the Hupacasath on Friday, upholding the August 2013 federal court decision by Justice Paul S. Crampton.

“The Federal Court’s overall conclusions — that the appellant had not established a causal relationship between the effects of the foreign investment promotion and protection agreement upon the appellant and its asserted rights and interests and that any effects upon the appellant were ‘non-appreciable” and ‘speculative’ — were predominantly factual in nature and deserve deference. These conclusions were amply supported by the evidentiary record,” the judgment says.

“Accordingly, Canada did not have to consult with the appellant before entering into the foreign investment promotion and protection agreement. Therefore, I would dismiss the appeal with costs.”

Leadnow, a group that helped fundraise for the legal challenge, reported after the initial ruling that the government had asked for over $100,000 in costs for its legal team and expert witnesses....

http://westcoastnativenews.com/first-nations-fipa-challenge-rejected-sup...

Thirty Years of BC Indian Law Condensed For Two Hundred

During a stunning performance of recollection, Louise Mandell captivated a crowd of mostly Gitxsan and Wet’suwet’en peoples as she recounted their history.

quote:

Louise Mandell was absolutely clear on one fact; the BC Government along with the BC Treaty Commission (BCTC) are performing actions which are illegal. Some of the negotiations presently underway, along with the permits being issued to development and resource projects, breech clearly defined Canadian Law.

And Mandell is no light weight. She was one of the lawyers engaged in both these cases and in many others. She has been engaged in arguing and defending indigenous title and rights law successfully in BC and in the Supreme Court of Canada for over thirty years. If clarity and the ability to express incredibly difficult legal issues and concepts in a manner any person could understand, Mandell may be the very best legal mind in Canada on these matters.

The gathering of approximately 200 Gitxsan and Wet’suwet’en citizens was held on Monday, January 19, at the Gitanmaax Hall near the Village of Old Hazelton. This location is remarkable, as it is locally known as the foundation of all the NW Indigenous peoples. Temlaham or Demalahamid is believed to have its origins at the confluence of the Skeena and Bulkley Rivers. Many relate the ancient stories told and retold in the Feast Halls for thousands of years of God or the Great Spirit landing the first peoples canoe at this location....

http://www.mwpr.ca/show11647a/Thirty_Years_of_BC_Indian_Law_Condensed_Fo...

..this is what some of the struggles here look like. govs trying to do an end run around 1st peoples.

Approximately $6 million for Moricetown Band, LNG Pipeline Benefit Agreement

The Moricetown Band has signed a pipeline benefit agreement with the province for TransCanada’s proposed Coastal GasLink pipeline project.

Moricetown Band chief Barry Nikal said the journey has been challenging and hard on the community.

“Many of our members have been hurt through this process but we now have the resources to come back together and restore our collective strength. Thank you to all the Elders, Wet’suwet’en Hereditary Chiefs and passionate community members who voiced their support for our decision.”

Moricetown Band will receive approximately $6 million as project milestones are reached: $998,000 upon the agreement coming into effect, $2.49 million when construction begins, and $2.49 million once the pipeline is operating....

http://cfnrfm.ca/moricetown-band-signs-lng-pipeline-benefit-agreement-jo...

versus this:

No Band Councils or Tribal Councils have jurisdiction over Unist’ot’en territory

includes audio

TALBITS KWA, Sovereign Unist'ot'en Territory

Since 2010, the Unist'ot'en have occupied and defended their traditional territory from pipeline development in defiance of industry, the province of British Columbia, and the government of Canada. Recently they exposed secretive talks between the Moricetown Band Council and the Pacific Trails Pipeline (PTP).

http://vancouver.mediacoop.ca/audio/no-band-councils-or-tribal-councils-...

..this thread can be closed

..new thread here

http://rabble.ca/babble/activism/no-pipeline-no-tankers-no-problem-2#com...