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Commentary: PR campaigns essential for oilsands
Commentary by Mac Olsen
for Smoky River Express
Northern Alberta residents should pay heed to the external forces which are shaping the fate of the region’s oilsands production.
At stake is the region’s prosperity for generations to come. Environmentalists are doing everything they can to shut down oil sands production. The European Union is considering banning imports of oil sands-related production and California will likely follow their lead to label it as “dirty.”
Public relations campaigns are essential to curtail their efforts. Fortunately, the Alberta Government is providing oil sands tours to American politicians, foreign diplomats and others. According to the Edmonton Journal Dec. 28, 2011, David Sands, a government spokesman, says oil sands tours have picked up. The government hosted 41 tours in 2011 and contributed to 23 more.
Tours would help to reshape the negative perceptions of oil sands development and production. But more has to be done to highlight and use potentially environmentally friendly extraction methods.
One is being developed by Penn State University, which could eliminate the need for tailings ponds. According to a story posted on www.canada.com March 20, 2011, scientists at Penn State University say their closed system using ionic liquids — salt in a liquid state — to separate the heavy, viscous oil found in western Canada from sand uses less energy than current systems and does not create toxic waste water.
“Our process could potentially get rid of those waste water ponds which can be dangerous to the environment, especially the wildlife in the area,” said Paul Painter, project head. “And we think it could potentially be cheaper than the way they extract the oil now.”
At the time of the story, the university had not yet tested their idea on a commercial scale. But Painter said their method could eliminate the need for tailings ponds and could extract the oil cheaper than traditional techniques.
It is in the interests of the petroleum companies to explore the possibility of using technologies like Penn State University’s. It would go a long way to curbing the criticism of the “dirty” perception of the oilsands.
Another way to promote Alberta’s “green” image is by highlighting the proposed biodiesel plant projects.
The Power Alternative Inc., a Detroit, Michigan-based company, wants to build one biodiesel plant in the M.D. of Big Lakes and one in Smoky Lake County. The plants would use off-grade canola in the production of biodiesel, which would in turn reduce emissions.
Environmentalists should be pleased with “green” initiatives like the biodiesel plants. But just as we have to be mindful of the public relations battle for the oilsands, so we must also pay heed to the Northern Gateway pipeline project. Enbridge Ltd. proposes building two pipelines from Bruderheim, Alberta, to Kitimat, B.C. to export oil to Asian markets.
The Yinka Dene Alliance opposes the pipelines because they’re concerned about oil leaks on the traditional lands, which the company proposes to build them through. They claim to have the other First Nations’ support, too.
The impact to northern Alberta is unknown should Enbridge not be allowed to proceed with construction. But the Asian markets are key for Alberta’s oil exports as is the pipeline. Given the battles on all fronts, we must do all we can to promote northern Alberta’s oil production. Our prosperity is at stake.
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