[All] Fw: Stop oil subsidies, invest in Green Energy

[Louisette Lanteigne]

Sent a letter to the PM Harper after reading this article where he's blaming people for getting involved with public processes. 

http://www.vancouversun.com/business/Harper+laments+foreign+money+hearings/5959444/story.html

Lulu
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----- Forwarded Message -----
From: Louisette Lanteigne <butterflybluelu at rogers.com>
To: "pm at pm.gc.ca" <pm at pm.gc.ca>; PeterKent P.C. M.P. <minister at ec.gc.ca>; "peter.braid at parl.gc.ca" <peter.braid at parl.gc.ca>; "nycole.turmel at parl.gc.ca" <nycole.turmel at parl.gc.ca>; "bob.rae at parl.gc.ca" <bob.rae at parl.gc.ca>; "Elizabeth.May at parl.gc.ca" <Elizabeth.May at parl.gc.ca>; "linda.duncan at parl.gc.ca" <linda.duncan at parl.gc.ca>; "stephane.dion at parl.gc.ca" <stephane.dion at parl.gc.ca> 
Sent: Saturday, January 7, 2012 10:05:13 PM
Subject: Stop oil subsidies, invest in Green Energy 
 

Hon. Prime Minister and Ministers.



We do not support the Northern Gateway pipeline or the Keystone XL.  We don't want to see either one of these projects built because of the associated ecologic/ economic/health risks. The current EA processes in Canada reflect poor test times and methodologies that undermine risks and there are many variables that don't make it into the planning phases. 

A new report from the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD) shows Governments and taxpayers spent about half a trillion US dollars last year supporting the production and consumption of fossil fuels. Removing inefficient subsidies would raise national revenues and reduce greenhouse-gas emissions, according to OECD and IEA analyses.

http://www.oecd.org/document/15/0,3746,en_21571361_44315115_48804623_1_1_1_1,00.html


Fossil fuels are awarded at least 250 different subsidies. From tax breaks on exploration to development credits to tax abatements on infrastructure, the ticket for fossil fuel subsidies runs much, much higher than the oft-scrutinized funds directed at alternatives. The oil industry alone receives tens of billions each year in tax subsidies, and that's only a fraction of the total break they are given. The subsidies for fossil fuels stretch back more than a century, and are pervasive in programs at federal, provincial, and local levels. In fact, compared to the help fossil fuels are given, tax breaks for alternative energy are decidedly modest in spite of the fact they carry far less risk. 

Cost externalizations that rarely make it into planning decisions including: Illness cost of smog such as heart disease, stroke and asthma and associated lost productivity. We rarely consider environmental damages, acid rain, spills and liability risks associated with offsite impacts. Contamination of aquifers and depleted water resources are rarely examined. MODFLOW, frequently used by Stantec, assumes aquifers are simply self contained on site which is technically wrong. Data is subjective making independent review highly complex. There is a lack of regard for geology and the connectivity of sub watersheds.

We taxpayers are facing increased taxes from municipalities and increased costs from industries struggling to secure base materials. Tar Sands has resulted in increased demand and rising cost of steel, cement, tires etc. The resources are being used up at a time when 80% of Canada's infrastructure is reaching end of life. Tar Sands contains quartz: It ruins metal so a constant need is there to replace materials inflating prices globally. It also makes the Keystone XL and the Gateway extra risky since the Dilbit contains quartz.  There is no long term data on the lifespan of pipes transferring this material.  

With China investing heavily in Tar Sands there is a very real issue of energy security and energy supply. We can't simply allow the industry to be dominated by a foreign nation. When all variables are examined, Canada is loosing money hand over fist per barrel but nobody's centralizing all the data to illustrate the big picture risks.

The fact is, we are beyond Peak Oil. The latest data shows, even during the economic strive in Europe and the US recession, oil prices are still climbing up and it's not due to demand. It's due to lack of supply of a declining resource. Please observe the graph at this link: 

http://www.forexpros.com/analysis/oil-prices:-moving-to-red-alert-110346

Where is the money going to come from to assist our provinces and municipalities, school boards and industries to afford these ever increasing fossil fuel fees? This will impact food prices, farming, shipping etc. How can we reasonably compete with trade when our entire nation is growing more and more dependent on this dwindling energy supply?

Time to back out of fossil fuel dependency ASAP to secure long term fiscal resilience. Canada needs to stop investing in pipelines and reinvest the monies towards restructuring towards renewable energy in order to invest in long term fiscal security. 


The future isn't about growth, it's about securing fiscal stability and resilience for the long term in line with the protection and preservation of our natural capital resources for the long term. Stop squandering our children's future. 

Yours sincerely,

Louisette Lanteigne
Alexander D. David
Samantha David
Diana David
Erin David

700 Star Flower Ave.
Waterloo Ontario

N2V 2L2
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