By David Henry, SES Volunteer Researcher
In Washington D.C. there have been demonstrations urging the Obama administration not to approve the construction of the Keystone XL Pipeline. Across the U.S. Midwest there have been debates expressing concerns that the pipeline will pollute people’s drinking water and ultimately contaminate the Ogallala Aquifer. The people of Saskatchewan should be equally concerned about this pipeline. Here’s why.
If built, the Keystone XL Pipeline would be a major new branch of the existing Keystone One Pipeline that now crosses southern Saskatchewan and passes right through Regina. Keystone One has been operating for just over a year. The new pipeline branch would be built across southwestern Saskatchewan. Both pipelines are built to carry thick bitumen from the tar sands. In order for bitumen to flow in a pipeline, it must be diluted with crude oil, heated to temperatures as high as 70oC (158oF) and placed under very high pressure. The results are challenging. In its first year of operations, the Keystone One Pipeline ruptured twelve times spilling bitumen in six different states.
The proposed Keystone XL could double the supply of tar sands oil that is transported to the United States for refining. This greater demand is likely to lead to massive expansion of oil sands facilities in northern Alberta. Ultimately, such development could lead to serious deterioration of air quality and health problems for Saskatoon and much of central and northern Saskatchewan.
Environment Canada estimates that present oil sands operations release 160,000 tonnes of acid-producing pollution into the air each year, 70 percent of which crosses into Saskatchewan, mainly in the North. Within two weeks, all these emissions fall as acid rain or acid snow on soils, rivers and lakes, mostly in Saskatchewan but some of it traveling as far east as the Hudson Bay. Northern Saskatchewan, composed mostly of Athabasca sandstone and Precambrian bedrock, is judged to be one of Earth’s regions most sensitive to acid precipitation. Failure of fish reproduction, widespread starvation of fish, release of mercury and other toxins in forest soils, lakes and rivers as well as respiratory and other health problems in humans are all well-documented problems that occur in regions where serious acid precipitation exists.
Northern Saskatchewan does not yet have an acid rain problem, but warning signs are beginning to appear. In 2010 Environment Canada published maps showing areas of Canada where total acid precipitation exceeds terrestrial and aquatic critical loads. Critical load is the point at which acid precipitation is expected to have negative impacts on the natural ecosystems of that region. These maps suggest that more than a third of northern Saskatchewan is now or will soon be receiving acid precipitation in excess of their critical loads. These maps are based on present levels of oil sands development. What greater problems will appear if massive expansion of oil sand facilities occurs in response to the construction of the Keystone XL Pipeline?
Will a proper environmental assessment of the proposed Keystone XL pipeline be carried out for Saskatchewan? The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency has stated that the draft environmental impact statement for the Keystone XL Pipeline carried out for the Midwestern states is “seriously flawed” and “environmentally objectionable”. Will our next provincial government do a better job? Will they carefully assess all the impacts not only of the pipeline but also the massive expansion of oil sands facilities before a decision on the Keystone XL Pipeline is made?
A careful impact assessment is important but it isn’t enough. The governments of Canada, Alberta and Saskatchewan must work together to develop and implement stronger emission standards for all oil sands facilities. Improved emission standards would accomplish three important objectives: (1) improve the design of new oil sands facilities; (2) stimulate the adoption of best practices in mining, refining and transport of bitumen, and (3) help mitigate the health and environmental impacts of oil sands operations.
The proposed Keystone XL Pipeline and expanded oil sands facilities could negatively affect the quality of life we have in Saskatchewan. This issue needs serious debate in the provincial election campaign. We need our political parties to clarify how they will effectively address these issues if they form the next provincial government.
VIEWPOINT published in The Saskatoon Star Phoenix, 21 October 2011
