Democracy Gone Astray

Democracy, being a human construct, needs to be thought of as directionality rather than an object. As such, to understand it requires not so much a description of existing structures and/or other related phenomena but a declaration of intentionality.
This blog aims at creating labeled lists of published infringements of such intentionality, of points in time where democracy strays from its intended directionality. In addition to outright infringements, this blog also collects important contemporary information and/or discussions that impact our socio-political landscape.

All the posts here were published in the electronic media – main-stream as well as fringe, and maintain links to the original texts.

[NOTE: Due to changes I haven't caught on time in the blogging software, all of the 'Original Article' links were nullified between September 11, 2012 and December 11, 2012. My apologies.]

Wednesday, October 09, 2013

Alberta Cold Heavy Oil Production: Ecojustice Says Some Albertans Want Better Rules

PEACE RIVER, Alta. - An environmental group says some Albertans want tougher rules for oilsands producers that operate close to where people live.

Ecojustice says some people in northwest Alberta have moved away from their homes because of health concerns about an extraction process called cold heavy oil production.

The group made the comments Monday as the Alberta Energy Regulator held a public meeting in Peace River to set the scope for an inquiry that will look into their concerns.

Karla and Alain Labrecque and their two children left their family farm almost two years ago after suffering headaches, sinus problems and muscle spasms.

"It simply became unbearable," Karla Labrecque said. "We were genuinely concerned for the health of our children and had to leave."

Ecojustice will represent the Labrecques at the inquiry.

The family has moved to Smithers, B.C.

Ecojustice says the cold heavy oil process involves heating the heavy oil and then storing it in tanks, venting noxious emissions into the surrounding area.

Alain Labrecque said the Alberta government has been slow to deal with their concerns.

"We were farming here successfully and the last thing we wanted to do was move," he said.

"That's why we spent two years trying to get changes done. And they are just too slow. And I'm glad we moved because it is not changing fast."

The regulator has said all of the companies in the area have met regulatory standards and the inquiry is the next stage to finding a solution.

Ecojustice lawyer Melissa Gorrie said better regulations are needed as more companies use the cold heavy oil process in northwestern Alberta.

"We see this inquiry as an important step and we hope that at the end of this process a regulatory framework is developed to the address the impacts associated with cold heavy oil production," she said.

Original Article
Source: huffingtonpost.ca
Author: CP

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