National Post Editorial Board: Christy Clark’s petro confusion
Ted Noddin
I am amazed that B.C. can even operate as a province
nanowit
It operates in spite of its government.
pottedplant
She just wants to have her cake and eat it too. Mental midget, she has already destroyed her re-election chances.
Grasping at straws, flushing the province away to the ndp
g. apley II
In KingB's point of view, the risk of diluted bitumen at the bottom of the ocean in ice cold salt water is less than the risk of diesel, gasoline or more likely upgraded crude (see the numerous posts on why fully refined products are not likely world market exports) floating on the surface exposed to the atmosphere and drifting onto the beach.
I would like to see somebody with some petrochemical expertise weigh in on this -- because from little physical and organic chemistry I remember from an earlier existence, I think that assessment is out to lunch.
KingB
Diluted bitumen is heavy oil diluted in aliphatic solvents. It doesn't sit on the bottom of the ocean, it mixes at all levels of the ecosphere. It will sink beneath the surface and separate out into fractions that will coat beaches and animals and destroy benthic communities (the bottom of the food chain). They are incredibly challenging to remove. Due to its complex nature, bitumen biodegrades incredibly slowly. A spill would remain destructive for decades. Refined petroleum products pose a substantially reduced risk. They float on the surface and if spilled well away from shore have the potential to undergo substantial volatilization (and reduced spill mass) before they reach the shore. Cleanup technologies exist for hydrocarbons that are lighter than water (skimmers and booms) that would be useless against diluted bitumen. While spills of either are to be avoided from an environmental and cleanup prospective the two products are night and day.
ERB60
I am sure that everything can be incredibly managed. At any rate, you don't build an economy by running away from your challenges.
some random guy
No point in even discussing it at this point as there will be a new government in may. Thus no point to acknowledge stupidity.
KingB
The explanation is clear, diluted bitumen, shipped by sea poses tremendous risks to the environment since the bitumen is denser than water. Refined petroleum (gas, kerosene, etc..) is lighter than water and poses a substantially reduced risk if spilled in the environment. Eliminate the need to ship diluted bitumen and you reduce the environmental risks by several orders of magnitude.
Geoboy
Huh??
KingB
A simple illustration: take out two pie tins, in one pour a litre of refined gasoline, in the other take some fresh warm asphalt, mix in thoroughly with varsol until it is a slurry and then add some engine oil (this mixture is an approximation of diluted bitumen). Next leave both out on your deck on a sunny day. Come back a week later and soak a couple cotton cloths in what is left. What do you think the two cloths will look like?
Ian Fae
At this point, nothing Christy Clark has to say is relevant. She could paint herself purple and dance naked on a piano and it wouldn't make a difference to BC voters or Liberal chances in the next election. Just don't expect the NDP to be any better.
andersm0
Christy Clark has a bad case of mental pause. Her logic wiring has completely vapourized in some vicious hot flashes.
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