Sarnia Observer -- Shell welcomes scrutiny
June 17th, 2008
Shell officials want to clear the air about concerns surrounding its proposed heavy oil refinery project.
Amrik Ahluwalia, guest speaker at today’s Sarnia-Lambton Economic Partnership general meeting, used the opportunity to address the community’s concerns about the multi-billion dollar project, which he says the company is well aware of.
“We know that not everyone supports this project,” said Ahluwalia. “And we welcome their scrutiny. It gives us more ideas to explore and consider.”
Ahluwalia said the three main concerns he’s aware of are the impacts on water, air and land.
“We’ve heard consistently that protecting the St. Clair River is one of the most important things,” he said, “and Shell is acting on it.”
Ahuwalia said the refinery plans to implement cutting-edge water-recycling technology that will treat the water used by the new facility and prevent any contaminated water from returning to the river.
Both Environmental Defense and Forest Ethics are opposed to the proposal, saying that a barrel of oil from the tar sands results in three times as much greenhouse gas as regular crude.
But, Ahuwalia said the proposed plant’s emissions will be significantly lower compared to the existing St. Clair Township plant, noting that sulfur dioxide emissions will be cut by 70 per cent.
Land concerns, which Ahuwalia noted have been covered significantly by local media, are also being addressed.
Many First Nations people say the potential economic gains of the project do not outweigh its environmental impact, including some Walpole Island residents who have denounced the refinery as a threat to nearby woods and wetlands, which are the home to several endangered species.
“The First Nations people play a vital role in this,” said Ahluwalia. “I have been committed to working with them, seeking feedback, and ensuring that they’re involved with the process to find a mutually beneficial solution.”
Ahuwalia said that Shell plans to offset the environmental impacts by planting or protecting two-and-a-half times the trees and wetlands the site removes.
If the plant does proceed, it will be the biggest project built in the chemical valley in a generation.
Ahuwalia said job opportunities for the construction phase alone will reach well into the thousands.
A final decision will not be made until 2009.
