By Hank Shelley, Observer contributor
While pruning a couple apple trees at Notch Hill farm last week, which is close to the CP mainline, the high pitched squeal of the 200,000 plus ton train’s steel wheels pressure against the thin steel rails, was surreal.
As the 205 car freight rolled past, 35 were oil tankers carrying bitumen from Alberta. Most folks are not surprised anymore about the tonnage increase and length of the freights passing through Salmon Arm on a daily basis. Many of us that enjoy Rocky Mountain Trains on TV have insight now, on how technology, computers and on-track maintenance, keep the CP trains moving.
However, there is still the remote possibility of a derailment on the 1,250 kilometers the trains travel in B.C.
The big concern is a derailment, possible spill of oil or chemicals into the Thompson similar to the Chicamous a few seasons back. This would have a devastating effect of the whole ecology including salmon and steelhead, and life as we know it. So what will it be, pipeline or rail?.
The big concern is the Texas-based company wants to increase capacity on a new line to about 800,000 barrels a day to offshore sales. The deal is worth $7.4 billion. With double hulling, modern technology on board the new vessels, it’s not likely of a disaster on our coast, but for the ecology, whales, marine life, human economy and lifestyle,would dramatically change.
There are two fundamentals about oil spills the oil companies will not discuss: Spills over 100,000 gallons can not be properly cleaned up. While 40 per cent of lost oil can be scooped up by skimmers and booms, In reality, only 10 per cent has been recovered. In 1987, the Coast Guard and Environment Canada used skimmers and booms to try and contain 20,000 gallons dumped from a ship off Newfoundland. Despite good weather, the equipment failed.
If the pipeline is completed, there will be triple the number of tankers waiting to be loaded, heading to off shore ports.
Interestingly enough, more than 30 First Nations along the pipeline route support the project, while many communities do not.
Yes, a pipeline is the safest bet, with stronger steel, better technology, and the 55-year-old Trans Mountain line has seen its day.
One only has to look back at the high pressure rupture a few years back of oil spewing onto homes and yards in Burnaby and Surrey to realize human error can upset the apple-oil cart, this time with climactic results.