NDP Leader Lorraine Michael continues to press the government on issues around oil spills.
In the House of Assembly Monday, she accused the province of only listening to industry when considering how prepared companies are for a
blowout and subsequent spill.
Michael noted the United States has declared a moratorium on exploratory drilling off its coasts.
The president of the United States has said that until he can be satisfied that blowouts can be properly dealt with, it would be irresponsible of him to lift that moratorium, she said.
Michael then asked Premier Danny Williams why the concerns of others aren't being heard. Williams replied that he and Nalcor Energy CEO Ed Martin were in Calgary last week and met with both Husky and Chevron.
I spent a considerable amount of time ... crossexamining, for want of a better term, Chevron on exactly what they were doing and what initial procedures were being taken place, he said. I did satisfy myself at that time ... that they were, in fact, implementing a lot of safeguards even before the Gulf of Mexico (spill) happened.
Williams went on to say he's satisfied with what Chevron is doing while drilling an exploratory well in the Orphan Basin.
But Michael urged the premier to demand the company drill a relief well during the exploration phase, to protect the offshore environment from a blowout. Williams replied that could increase the cost of the project dramatically and could end any further exploration in the basin.
I think the trade-off for that, if we take the billions of dollars that could be lost, would be the loss in social benefits and social programs for the province, he said.
The premier said that's a risk the province won't take.
dbartlett@thetelegram.com
NDP continues questioning on spill preparedness
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Published on
June 8, 2010
- Published on July 1, 2010
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Dave Bartlett
NDP Leader Lorraine Michael continues to press the government on issues around oil spills.
In the House of Assembly Monday, she accused the province of only listening to industry when considering how prepared companies are for a
blowout and subsequent spill.
Michael noted the United States has declared a moratorium on exploratory drilling off its coasts.
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Comments
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- newfie
- - July 2, 2010 at 14:43:36
Oh Danny Boy, we can't sit back and listen to you saying Do as I say or you will pay any longer. All the world leaders are saying to stop drilling. But you listen to Chevron.
Do the Fisheries, Tourism, and the Environment mean nothing to you?
You have definitely lost you mind this time! -
- Taxpayer
- - July 2, 2010 at 14:40:28
It is sad that this fella is the Premier.
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- newfie
- - July 1, 2010 at 21:21:52
Oh Danny Boy, we can't sit back and listen to you saying Do as I say or you will pay any longer. All the world leaders are saying to stop drilling. But you listen to Chevron.
Do the Fisheries, Tourism, and the Environment mean nothing to you?
You have definitely lost you mind this time! -
- Taxpayer
- - July 1, 2010 at 21:16:29
It is sad that this fella is the Premier.
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