Science World’s Energy Show, scheduled for Dec. 16 and 17 at the West Coast Heritage Park, could likely be one of the better attended community events of 2015, if controversy and opposing views are any indication.
As a separate co-presenter in the B.C. government-sponsored “Regional LNG Energy Seminars” that have been occurring in affected communities such as Fort St. John, Prince George and Terrace, there appears to be criticism and prejudging of their energy science message.
Science World, a non-profit society, seeks development through individual membership and funding from all sources. Via its website, Science World openly seeks “corporate partnerships” for shaping the next generation of experts in science, technology and engineering. It requests sponsorship of exhibitions, galleries, programs and events from the corporate sector. Bryan Tisdale, president and CEO of Science World, acknowledged Dec. 4 in The Squamish Chief that he is well aware of the public scrutinization of its science and technology message and said, “We are not here to support the government’s program or any of these suppliers or businesses you may see around the room.”
Although a previous commentator mentioned the unbalanced, Pavlovian and ill-conceived BC Mining Association’s “Mine Games” student exhibit hosted by Science World during the 1990s, my experience was different with another industry-sponsored exhibit of the same period. In the mid 1990s, Science World hosted a week-long exhibit covering the pulp and paper industry. Fletcher Challenge Canada, a likely corporate partner, had its technical and engineering staff set-up working labs and exhibits for students and Science World staff to better understand cellulose-based paper making, thermal-mechanical pulping, and the environmental tests and monitors-analyzers used in air quality, continuous emissions and marine effluent. I was not surprised by the level of detail and accuracy displayed; the Fletcher Challenge Elk Falls Division in Campbell River had long been recognized as the most innovative of all the B.C. coastal pulp and paper operations. What I was not expecting was the level of public transparency. However, that was the result of high input and exhibit design by working technical and engineering staff alongside Science World staff.
If one believes that Science World cannot provide an independent message within the B.C. government’s Regional LNG Energy Seminars, then prepare yourself as an applied scientist or engineer with tough questions. Visit the LNG and natural gas processing plants page of www.linde-engineering.com – LINDE Engineering of Germany has done much design and LNG plant construction, the most recent examples located in Norway and China. On the hydraulic fracturing front, visit www.gwsolutions.ca – hydrogeology and groundwater experts led by Gilles Wendling.
Holding industry regulators such as the B.C. Oil and Gas Commission accountable and lobbying them for improved monitoring of drilling methods, containment of fugitive emissions and enforcement related to the emerging LNG industry will likely provide improved results. Prematurely criticizing and degrading a self-aware, non-profit, applied science and engineering educator such as Science World before it has even arrived at the Squamish event is not the empirical approach. But is does provide high public profile to opposition groups and activists.
Craig D. McConnell
Squamish
