Stop this $30 Billion Gas Folly

Everyone knows that oil is a problem. In the fight against climate change, oil is seen as the chief villain. Gas, meanwhile, likes to portray itself as a clean fuel. But it is not.

In most instances where there is oil there is gas, and where there is gas there is oil. Gas is an inherent part of the oil industry – like the left arm is an inherent part of your body. If we invest in gas we are continuing the oil age.

If we are going to have an Oil Change, we also need a Gas Change – which is why we need to oppose two gas lines that are being considered at the moment.

The first is a $7.5 billion Canadian gas pipeline will take gas from the Mackenzie Valley in the Northwest Territories 700-miles to markets further south.  The scheme is currently in the public hearing phrase and is expected to start delivering gas by 2011.

The second is for a natural gas pipeline from the North Slope to the Lower 48 States that would pass through Canada. It has long been a dream for the oil majors to exploit the gas from the North Slope rather than just the oil and this pipeline is the result of that dream.

It would likely begin in 2008 with construction to start by 2011. The state of Alaska recently agreed a deal with Exxon Mobil, BP and ConocoPhillips to build the 3,500-mile line. Its estimated cost is $25 billion.

So two schemes at a cost of  $32.5 billion. By the time they have finished the cost will probably be $40-$50 billion. All these two projects are doing is continuing our fossil fuel age, when we know its time to reduce our dependence now.

By the time construction starts in 2011 on the huge gas pipeline, climate change impacts will be even more severe and pronounced. It is time to stop this folly.