Dogwood News This Week: BUSTED! ...again

Details: Published on Sunday, 29 November -0001 16:00; Written by editor

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news and action Saturday February 4, 2023
Coastal GasLink had another major failure at its Clore River pipeline crossing last weekend: temporary dams ruptured, flooding the work site. Once again, mud and debris swept downstream into salmon and steelhead habitat.

The company’s public relations team is pretending they flooded their own construction site on purpose. “We initiated a temporary overflow of our barrier,” they claim. But Wet’suwet’en officials flew in by helicopter, and witnessed the site in disarray – with black sediment coating the riverbanks downstream.

Local chiefs had already busted Coastal GasLink contractors earlier this month for operating heavy equipment in the river with no sediment barrier in place –... a clear violation of the company’s permits. After public outcry, DFO sent Fishery Officers to investigate. But so far nothing has come of it.

Coastal GasLink was also just fined by provincial regulators for a separate violation from one year ago. It was their third fine after dozens of warnings. But the penalties are puny for a company that big. Meanwhile, work on the pipeline continues at a frantic pace.

Despite the dam debacle, contractors went right back to work last Sunday running heavy equipment in the river. They’re trying to clear debris so they can pump out their flooded trench and lay pipe.

What’s the rush? Well, this weekCoastal GasLink admitted they are eight billion dollars over budget, and any delays will bump that number up even higher. When pipeline companies rush work to save money, they run a high risk of making major mistakes.

Call for a stop work order to Coastal GasLink construction until local chiefs and federal officials can assess the damage and hold the company accountable. Please send a message (or several!) to Joyce Murray at the Department of Fisheries and Oceans, or even better, give her a quick call using this webpage.
NEWS Stories we’re following

Two young Trans Mountain protestors have been sent to jail They were given 3 weeks of incarceration for their peaceful demonstration. -City News P.S. Some folks are sending letters of support to them in jail.

The gas industry has known for more than 100 years (!!!) that fuel stoves are bad for our health But surprise, surprise… they lied about it. -DailyKos

The burning truth behind gas stoves And how unveiling their harms is fanning the flames of a culture war. -The Star

A road to nowhere The cost to produce and ship LNG is going up. That means in addition to destroying land and water, and putting undue stress on northern communities, proposed gas projects in B.C. will be financial failures, too.

Speaking of financial failure... The projected cost of Coastal GasLink has more than doubled since construction estimates were first released, from $6.6 billion to $14.5 billion. That’s why the company is rushing to get pipe laid across streams and rivers this month. Additional delays, like a stop work order for sloppy construction, could cost them up to $1.2 billion more. -Financial Post

LNG Canada is trying to bully the government The foreign-owned project wants Canadian taxpayers to foot the bill to electrify their operations, despite the fact that one of its major owners — Shell — just announced they made record breaking profits last year. Otherwise, they say they’re going to run their systems off fracked gas, blowing any chance B.C. has at meeting our climate targets. -The Province

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Wednesday, February 8 at 6 p.m. 'Before They Fall' film screening Join the event live or online to watch the story of Indigenous leaders, conservation groups, scientists and everyday citizens who fought to protect one of the remaining old-growth forests in British Columbia, ‘Ada’itsx (Fairy Creek). The screening begins at 6 p.m. with a panel discussion and Q&A at 7 p.m.

Friday, February 10 at 2:30 p.m. Climate Rally at Vancouver City Hall Declare your love for a healthy climate and tell Vancouver’s new mayor and council to take the climate emergency seriously.

February 1 - 17 UBC's 2nd Annual Climate Emergency Week Check out more than 26 events both in-person and online led by 50+ schools, departments, faculties and organizations. Students, professors, staff and community members will be showcasing their hard work and commitment to addressing the climate emergency. Action

Stop CGL - Send a message to Minister Murray Coastal GasLink continues to work in the Clore River unimpeded by provincial or federal regulators, despite the harm they're doing to salmon habitat. We need to ramp up the pressure on fisheries minister Joyce Murray and force her to act now — before more damage is done. Send a message demanding a stop work order for Coastal GasLink until local chiefs and federal officials can assess the damage, and hold the company accountable. And if you've already sent her a message, please send her another one.
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