EDITOR,
Should we export LNG from Squamish before we are able to use it, as an inexpensive fuel source every where in Canada for domestic and industrial use, to be able to tank up locally, besides having it available for all residences in Squamish at reasonable cost? To be able to buy CNG direct from the gas company would be great but not available yet, so why not provide it first for the local market and then think export?
Exporting LNG,for whatever it will be fetching on the world market is not good for us. It will no doubt dictate that we pay whatever the world is willing to pay.
Years ago a similar euphoria with the Chinese, promising $95/ton for coal and a new town was built, extra rail line etc., just to find out that later the town of Tumbler Ridge was almost a ghost town. The customer didn't pay more then $45 (half of what was agreed) Could history repeat itself?
Listening to the TV, the statement was made by the Chinese official that LNG could be a good source as an "interim...energy source"!
With the fast tracking, are we going to be again misled, with the promise of 100,000 jobs for whom? Not benefiting the unemployed on EI, rather the highly specialized people from elsewhere, here for a while, gone with pocket full of money.
Let's have some real dollar figures from Woodfibre LNG, to contribute to the Squamish tax coffers and a document as to the safety of the gas travelling through populated area of Squamish -some credible tests showing when the actual safety valves are operated/tested, procedures in case of a pipe bursting. Where are the regulations of a safety enclosure over the high-pressure gas pipe required, in case of a catastrophic escape of gas? Could it be stopped and properly vented? Is there public access to such tests and regulations? Also, who would foot the bill for additional firemen training - fire boats etc., with many more questions with no answers?
While the world is bidding up the cost of natural gas, there should be a two-tiered system agreed on first, that the domestic Canadian consumer would be protected and locked in, say at today's price per GJ. Surely if the bulk of the commodity is slated for export in the future at high profit, the small amount in comparison to domestic gas used could be subsidized for the benefit of us locals, as the private gas company of course is eager to please its shareholders with a high return on their investment.
Should we sell China and others our economic advantage, before we have protected the low-cost availability to the domestic market? Otherwise having to pay more and more, even as we desperately are looking for enterprises to establish here, or re-establish and without the low-cost energy availability, is not going to be to attractive.
Hans Schaer
Squamish
