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Percy Barrett, Opposition Critic for Environment and Conservation and MHA
for the District of Bellevue, says the recent increase in oil prices
emphasizes the need for closer monitoring of offshore oil production and
exploration platforms. Barrett says higher prices for oil may entice
companies to push their production limits, while sacrificing other
maintenance, environmental and staffing priorities. "With the recent price
spikes for oil, there may be more of an incentive for oil companies to push
the limits of production," said Mr. Barrett. "This may result in companies
being less willing to slow down production to attend to maintenance,
staffing or environmental issues. There is certainly a need for government
involvement to ensure proper safety procedures are in place and followed."
The Liberal MHA has been calling on government to improve safety measures
on offshore oil rigs several times over the past year. In August of this
year , Barrett called for greater openness and accountability in the sector
after a York University researcher, Gail Fraser, was denied access to
information related to oil spills off our coast. As a result of a serious
spill that took place last November at the Terra Nova FPSO, Barrett called
for the placement of independent monitors on all offshore production and
exploration platforms.
Barrett says the Minister of Environment and Conservation, Tom Osborne,
should stop hiding behind officials on these issues. "Although the
Canada-Newfoundland and Labrador Offshore Petroleum Board (C-NLOPB) is
responsible for administering the regulations, it is government that must
show leadership to ensure the proper policies are in place. The minister
should at the very least tell the people of this province if he thinks there
is a need for closer monitoring, and if he is in favour of full release of
all information on spills. The marine environment off our shores is home to
many fish species, seabirds and other marine life that should be protected
to the best of our ability. To date, the minister’s silence on these issues
is deafening."
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