Pipeline safety pitch questioned
Re: Public safety at heart of need for oil pipelines, says Metro MP, Jan. 2
Industry Minister James Moore says public safety is at the heart of the need for oil pipelines as oil shipments by rail through the Lower Mainland have soared. His comments suggest CN, one of two major rail carriers in B.C., is transporting crude oil and diluted bitumen to west coast ports, including Prince Rupert. That is incorrect. CN has never transported crude oil or diluted bitumen to any B.C. port or terminal for export via oceangoing vessel.
CN transports a variety of petroleum products — mostly refined products like diesel, jet fuel, gasoline, bunker for ocean vessels as well as crude oil. CN’s crude-by-rail shipments go to domestic consumers in Canada and to U.S. destinations in cooperation with U.S. railroads.
CN has an unwavering commitment to safety, which is evidenced by the fact that 99.998 per cent of CN movements of dangerous goods arrive at destination without a release caused by an accident.
Moreover, CN complies fully with federal regulations governing the transportation of such goods. MARK HALLMAN CN, director — Communications and Public Affairs
The rail accident at Lac Megantic was not a result of the method of transportation used to ship oil, but rather a result of inadequate safety protocols, which are, incidentally, the responsibility of the federal government. PAUL SHULEY Port Coquitlam
So, Conservative Member of Parliament James Moore says we need oilsands pipelines to the West Coast to protect against the threat of a Lac Megantic-style fireball in the rail yards in his Port MoodyWestwood-Port Coquitlam riding. Is Moore trying to tell us that the federal government is, in fact, not sincere in its promise to make Canada’s railways take safety more seriously? RICHARD LITTLEMORE Vancouver
We would all be a lot safer if subsidies to the oil industry could be diverted to developing alternative energy sources which would produce far more jobs than those provided by the oilsands industry. RON FORD Vancouver