Task force should be formed to evaluate offshore environmental regulations

Opposition Leader Yvonne Jones raised questions in the House of Assembly and brought forward a private members motion earlier today calling for government to initiate a task force to immediately review offshore environmental procedures and monitor these protections on an ongoing basis.

“The catastrophic oil spill off the coast of Louisiana is certainly a wake-up call for all jurisdictions involved in the offshore oil industry,” said Ms. Jones. “While there are regulations currently in place to protect the environment, the disaster in the Gulf of Mexico shows that major improvements must be made. We must learn lessons from this incident and ensure the most current standards and technologies are in place off our shores.

“Our most recent drilling project is located in the Orphan Basin in deep water at depths of over 2600 metres. This is 1000 metres deeper than the British Petroleum well off the coast of Louisiana. To ensure these drilling projects are done in the safest manner possible, we must continuously review our policies and procedures. A task force would ensure that the various industries, government and environmental experts work together to continuously oversee and bring forward recommendations. An independent review would not achieve the same results.

Private Members Motion

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Darrell Mercer
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Office of the Official Opposition
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Private Members Motion
Task Force on Environmental & Safety Monitoring
Of Offshore Oil Drilling & Production

 Whereas drilling and production in our offshore areas brings not only economic benefits, but real risks of environmental disaster, as we have seen with the Louisiana oil catastrophe which will have impacts for decades to come;

 And whereas the offshore oil industry polices itself through the CNLOPB and there are concerns on their lack of transparency in addressing oil spills, as well as resources available to address a major emergency event;

 And  whereas  there is no comprehensive safety regime or work plans for oil spills, no independent monitors on rigs and oil extraction is exempt from the Canadian Environmental protection Act, the Fisheries Act and the Canada Shipping Act;

 And whereas  Chevron is currently drilling in deep waters without immediate backup plans and oil analysts say it could take up to 3-4 months for back-up rigs to become operational;

 And whereas the Grand Banks represents one of the richest fishing banks and fragile ecosystems in the world and thousands of Newfoundlanders could be gravely impacted should a major oil spill occur;

 And whereas  British Columbia and the Pacific States have a combined oil spill task force in place with annual work plans - notwithstanding a moratorium of offshore drilling on the west coast;

 Therefore, be it resolved that this House of Assembly encourages the provincial government to immediately put into place a Task Force to examine the current environmental and safety procedures, policies and processes; make recommendations for “best practices and technology” changes; review the industry on an annual basis;  review protocols for potential oil spills in Placentia Bay; produce an Annual Work Plan to enhance oil spill preparedness and response capabilities throughout all drilling areas and oil transport routes near Newfoundland and Labrador to avoid and/or mitigate the effects of a possible oil spill that could devastate the waters off our coast for decades to come.