Category Archives: Pipelines

Yet another carbon bubble paper that misses the mark

Posted on June 5, 2018 by Blair

One of the interesting features of the climate change debate is that many of the highest profile academics in the field are European and many of the papers have what, to outsiders such as myself, might appear to be unconscious … Continue reading →

Posted in Canadian Politics, Pipelines, Renewable Energy, Trans Mountain, Uncategorized | 9 Comments

On politicians shading the truth about diluted bitumen

Posted on May 1, 2018 by Blair

One of the most frustrating parts of the Trans Mountain Expansion (TMX) pipeline debate is dealing with all the misinformation out there. I can’t count the number of people who have assured me that the TMX is only about exporting … Continue reading →

Posted in Canadian Politics, Oil Sands, Pipelines, Trans Mountain, Uncategorized | 15 Comments

No, the Trudeau government did not ignore the science when approving the Trans Mountain Pipeline

Posted on April 18, 2018 by Blair

As my readers know, I care deeply about the quality of science used in environmental decision-making so the latest anti-pipeline activist meme crossing my desk caught my attention. The meme suggests that the Trudeau government ignored the peer-reviewed science in … Continue reading →

Posted in Canadian Politics, Oil Sands, Pipelines, Trans Mountain, Uncategorized | 12 Comments

On the bizarre narrative about bitumen being an “inferior” form of crude oil that can’t be sold

Posted on April 17, 2018 by Blair

In the last month a new narrative has arisen in the anti-Trans Mountain pipeline community: that the market for bitumen is non-existent because it is “far inferior to the higher-quality oil” sold in the United States and that due to … Continue reading →

Posted in Canadian Politics, Pipelines, Trans Mountain, Uncategorized | 29 Comments

On the ridiculous claims that the Trans Mountain pipeline expansion will increase Vancouver’s gas prices

Posted on March 20, 2018 by Blair

Last night they had another of the now regular stories on the local news about the rising gasoline prices in the Lower Mainland. On my walk to work today I passed the local Shell station and looked up to see … Continue reading →

Posted in Canadian Politics, Pipelines, Trans Mountain, Uncategorized | 17 Comments

Why a Pragmatic Environmentalist supports the Trans Mountain Pipeline

Posted on March 17, 2018 by Blair

I am a pragmatic environmentalist. I have worked in the environmental field for over twenty-five years. My area of professional expertise is the investigation and remediation of former industrial and commercial sites with a specialty in the assessment of petroleum … Continue reading →

Posted in Canadian Politics, Climate Change, Pipelines, Trans Mountain, Uncategorized | 42 Comments

The question anti-Trans Mountain Pipeline Expansion activists refuse to answer

Posted on March 12, 2018 by Blair

This weekend both pro- and anti-Trans Mountain Pipeline Expansion Project (TMX) rallies were held. Sadly I couldn’t attend either. I did take advantage of the interest to try to figure out what was going on in the heads of the people … Continue reading →

Posted in Canadian Politics, Pipelines, Trans Mountain, Uncategorized | 102 Comments

On Jason Kenney’s threat to shut off Vancouver’s gasoline supply

Posted on March 7, 2018 by Blair

In the last week Jason Kenney was on a West Coast swing as part of his continued attempt to replace Rachel Notley as Premier of Alberta. During the trip Mr. Kenney repeatedly threatened to stop the flow of oil to … Continue reading →

Posted in Canadian Politics, General Politics, Pipelines, Trans Mountain, Uncategorized | 6 Comments

What are the real marine risks of the Trans Mountain Pipeline Expansion?

Posted on February 12, 2018 by Blair

Every morning, starting around 7 am, the Spirit of Vancouver Island leaves its berth in Swartz Bay for its first run to Tsawwassen. On-board the Spirit are tens of thousands of liters of diesel fuel to run the ship for … Continue reading →

Posted in Canadian Politics, Pipelines, Risk Communication, Trans Mountain, Uncategorized | 26 Comments

On dilbit, oil spill response and political gamesmanship

Posted on February 9, 2018 by Blair

As many of my readers know my day job involves investigating and remediating contaminated sites. My particular specialty is the investigation and remediation of petroleum hydrocarbon impacts [and before anyone asks, no I have never worked for Kinder Morgan nor … Continue reading →

Posted in Oil Sands, Pipelines, Trans Mountain | 32 Comments