Tories Exempt Oil Sands

[jdobbin]

Can't say this was unexpected.

http://ca.news.yahoo.com/s/capress/070507/...sands_emissions

The federal government's new clean air plan will exempt Alberta's oil sands - alone among all sectors of heavy industry in Canada - from a requirement to cut two smog-causing chemicals.

And that has environmentalists issuing a pollution warning.

An Environment Canada document provided to non-government groups last week projects a 60 per cent rise in emissions of volatile organic compounds from the oil sands by 2015, and a five per cent increase in nitrous oxides emissions over the same period.

Volatile organics and nitrous oxides cause smog when mixed in sunlight.

"Every other sector has reductions," said Emilie Moorhouse, executive director of the Sierra Club. "Albertans' air quality is going to suffer because of this."

[sharkman]

Ah yes, the quote from the executive of the Sierra Club was particularly rich. Good luck getting any attention on that one.

[Topaz]

Ah yes, the quote from the executive of the Sierra Club was particularly rich. Good luck getting any attention on that one.

Everyone knows Canada's pollution went up in the country because of the oil sands. Harper would never hurt Alberta for many reasons. One, he's from there, Two, his relatives in the oil drilling industry, Three, to keep the Economics of Canada going and help him with an election.

[Hydraboss]

And, of course, to make sure that Sierra Club members have fuel for their VW Microbuses so they can get to the protest.

[Fortunata]

Anyone who thought Steve had changed his mind about climate change knows now for what it was, political opportunism.

[noahbody]

Anyone who thought Steve had changed his mind about climate change knows now for what it was, political opportunism.

Good conclusion. Wrong, but good. This isn't about climate change. Please apologize to Steve. Thanks.

[Fortunata]

This isn't about climate change.

I know. That's what I said. It's all about political opportunism.

[Keepitsimple]

As someone said - this is not about climate change. They are not off the hook for Greenhouse gases - although they do get a 3 year delay. This is about smog and pollution. Funny how the Conservatives have been concerned about smog and pollution for years but nobody was listening - they were all on the Kyoto bandwagon. They've made what is probably the toughest committment in the world on smog pollutants. Didn't get much play in the media - only that they were embarrassing Canada again by not adhering to Kyoto. But now - yes now - now that there's an opportunity to bash them, the Sierra Club is issuing a Pollution Warning! Good work guys, where have you been for the last 5 years? And of course, the Conservatives are still not getting credit for targeting a 50% reduction in smog pollutants nation-wide by 2015. Nobody has died from breathing CO2 but plenty of people have died from respiratory ailments caused by smog. Damned if they do, damned if they don't.

[runningdog]

Just when you thought the Liberals had hit the bottom of the barrel, here comes big Steve. This sure isn't my PC party. Far right neocons. Way to go Steve. Time for you to leave.

[Topaz]

Perhaps the most important reason that Harper exempted them is, Harper hasn't made public who contribute to his campaign as yet, I wonder why??? The opposition is slipping on this one.

[jdobbin]

As someone said - this is not about climate change. They are not off the hook for Greenhouse gases - although they do get a 3 year delay. This is about smog and pollution. Funny how the Conservatives have been concerned about smog and pollution for years but nobody was listening - they were all on the Kyoto bandwagon. They've made what is probably the toughest committment in the world on smog pollutants. Didn't get much play in the media - only that they were embarrassing Canada again by not adhering to Kyoto. But now - yes now - now that there's an opportunity to bash them, the Sierra Club is issuing a Pollution Warning! Good work guys, where have you been for the last 5 years? And of course, the Conservatives are still not getting credit for targeting a 50% reduction in smog pollutants nation-wide by 2015. Nobody has died from breathing CO2 but plenty of people have died from respiratory ailments caused by smog. Damned if they do, damned if they don't.

I think if you check the Sierra Club's website, they have been on the government for both. What they wanted no confusion about that cleaning the air and water was not an emissions policy.

[Wilber]

What they wanted no confusion about was that cleaning the air and water was not an emissions policy.

Say what?

[jdobbin]

Say what?

Their website indicates they have long been fighting for clean air and water.

However, they said Harper's original act and what followed has not set real caps on emissions which is a separate issue from clean air and water.

[Wilber]

Their website indicates they have long been fighting for clean air and water.

However, they said Harper's original act and what followed has not set real caps on emissions which is a separate issue from clean air and water.

Then how did the air and water get dirty if there were no emissions going into them, or is CO2 the only thing that it is PC to call an emission these days?

[jdobbin]

Then how did the air and water get dirty if there were no emissions going into them, or is CO2 the only thing that it is PC to call an emission these days?

The Sierra Club said that while there were a few things they liked about the clean air act, it was not legislation that significantly dealt with greenhouse gases.