Solid Oil Pellets- Not Just Pipelines Are in Alberta’s And Canada’s Interest

With the recent developments in solid oil pellet technologies for transporting tar sands oil in a safer manner, another oil pipeline through BC may be unnecessary and a waste of billions of dollars.

Because of solid oil pellet technology, there is no federal constitutional legal basis for a new oil pipeline through BC, contrary to what PM Trudeau suggests. An alternative to pipelines exist and the federal government should not be interfering in the business as to how oil is transported for the benefit of big bankers that are the top shareholders of Kinder Morgan.

Solid oil pellets float when spilled into waters and do not dissolve in contact with water. Oil pellets can be transported by rail without the hazards of diluted bitumen. Diluted bitumen is impossible to completely clean up in a spill because it sinks when in contact with suspended sediments or ocean micro organisms in any type of wave action, after the diluting solvent flashes off. Furthermore, solid oil pellets are not explosive like diluted bitumen which makes them safe for railway transport through communities like Lac Megantic or Calgary.

PM Trudeau has suggested a blackmail bribe or threat where BC will not get spill protection programs without the Trans Mountain Loop Pipeline being built first. With solid oil pellet technology, there is no need for expensive multi billion-dollar spill protection programs to pick up the pellets. Current employed low-cost technologies that pick up other floating materials, like plastic balls, can be utilized in the event of a pellet spill.

A meeting needs to be arranged between the BC Premier, the Alberta Premier, scientists, environmentalists, economists, oil sands corporations, indigenous peoples and railways to determine if moving solid oil pellets through BC is viable. We must talk to halt a potential Western trade war over the pipeline issue which may inflict damage on the whole Canadian economy and increase the chances of a BC separation movement. Cool intelligent heads must speak up and present solutions.

The NDP Alberta Government’s interest is to produce and move oil, in a safe manner that protects the environment of its neighbors. Our neighbors to the east and west do not agree with export of the oil by pipeline through their jurisdictions as they recognize dangers and harms that Alberta does not. Alberta must recognize this fact and get innovative with alternative solutions to create more economic prosperity. The NDP Alberta Government must seek alternatives to exporting oil in pipelines if it wants to get away from selling oil below world market prices to the highly discounted American market and still be on friendly terms with all provinces within our Dominion.

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Romy Tittel

Leader