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Anti-methane stand futile, says company |
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By Grant Warkentin Mirror Staff The Regional District of Comox-Strathcona's firm stand against coalbed methane exploration won't stop it from happening, says Quinsam Coal's president. "At the end of the day we will be drilling for methane," said David Slater. The regional district board decided at its June 30 meeting to take a stand against coalbed methane exploration in the region, at least until controls are developed that satisfy the district, and resolved to try and persuade the Union of B.C. Municipalities to take the regional district's side. "Coalbed methane development has high risks, especially regarding impacts on ground water and the quality of disposed water from its processes," says the preamble to the regional district's resolution. "Local communities, including their local governments, First Nations and potentially affected landowners have not been adequately informed or consulted about the effects of coalbed methane production." The board is asking the UBCM to request the provincial government "issue no further drilling licences, tenures or other permits for coal bed methane exploration until local communities, their local government and First Nations are consulted and their concerns are fully considered and until adequate policies, regulations and guidelines are enacted to ensure the safe development of coalbed methane in the province of B.C." The resolution is totally unnecessary, said Slater. "Under the current permitting procedures local governments and First Nations are consulted anyway so that's a given," he said. "All of the stuff they've put in there is what we'd have to go through anyway. We know that." Besides, Slater said, the resolution is toothless - the regional district can't interfere with the mine's plans to explore for coal bed methane in the Campbell River area. "I don't think they have any veto powers over something that is in the bailiwick of the Ministry of Energy and Mines under the oil and gas exploration act," he said. The mine's plans to drill are coming closer to fruition. Slater said he expects the government to resolve title issues around the proposed drilling site soon. After that the mine will apply for permits, and if it receives them all, would be drilling about a month afterwards. Slater wouldn't say exactly where drilling would be done but said it's in the Campbell River area. "We have already determined where we will do the drilling, that's all figured out already," he said. "It's not far from Campbell River itself." Quinsam Coal might be ready to drill, but another company searching for methane in the Comox Valley has hit a snag. Priority Ventures, which has been prospecting for coalbed methane in the Valley for nearly 20 years, found coalbed methane 2,000-3,000 feet below the surface a few years ago. It has now halted its exploration in the Dove Creek area until the province clears up confusion surrounding title claims to the drill site. Drilling in the Comox Valley could be delayed for up to six months. |
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