Fresh water trucked in for Oilbertans living near Red Deer River oil spill
?w=620 Alberta Premier Alison Redford, second from left, speaks to reporters in front of the Gleniffer reservoir, with an oil retaining boom across it, about an oil spill from a pipeline leak near Sundre, Alta., Friday, June 8, 2012
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DICKSON, Alta. — People downstream of an oil pipeline breach in west central Alberta are worried but hopeful the spill won’t seriously damage the Red Deer River they depend on for water and recreation.
Andrew Van Oosten and his friends were hoping to go fishing Saturday but were told by Alberta Environment officials to stay away from the water.
“I was going to go fishing but they said, ’No, you’re not allowed,”’ he said as huddled with his friends underneath a tarp at his campsite near the Gleniffer reservoir.
Booms set up to contain Alberta pipeline spill after up to 3,000 barrels of oil spew into Red Deer River
“You are not allowed to go near the water because it [oil] is washing up on shore. I hope it just passes by in a week or two.”
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So, let's see if I have this right. The XL Pipeline proposed through the heart of North America, from north of Edmonton, Alberta to Houston Texas, crossing multiple watersheds and aquifers, hasn't even made it from Edmonton to Red Deer yet, and there is already fresh water being trucked in because <rant> THEY CAN'T CONTAIN THE BLEEPING SPILLS in the Red Deer River AND THE OILY COMPANY BUZZILLIONAIRES WANT TO EXTEND THE DAMN PIPELINE ALL THE WAY TO HOUSTON. ARE YOU FREAKING KIDDING ME?? TO GIVE IT UP AT PROFIT ON THE WORLD BLEEPING MARKET! THESE PEOPLE SHOULD BE IN PRISON. <takes a few deep breaths, ends rant </rant>
Whew, I feel slightly better, my pulse rate is slightly down, BREATHE Steve. Don't have a stroke.....
I wanted to think Canada was above this, but they are being purchased, at least the Alberta government, by oil companies just like the USA and Europe. The Harper government is just as willing to line their pockets with dirty oil money as the US is.
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I know. Doesn't make a difference. Just pointing it out. Tar sands are in Ft. McMurray, which is 5.5 hrs north of Edmonton which is 1.5 hr north of Red Deer (and I think the spill was by Sundre which is further south still). I know, just want us to be accurate. Don't hate me. I hope that isn't as annoying as the grammar police I've been around Alberta a little bit, but not as far north. I appreciate the reality check. My geography neuron was misfiring badly.
Now I'm marginally smarter. I sincerely appreciate it.
That does makes you geography police, though.
who is an Oilbertan (who isn't directly affected by the spill) I will say this is not the first time and it won't be the last. Too many oil companies trying to maximize profits by minimizing spending on pipeline maintenance. The spills just don't usually happen next to a river that is the water supply for an urban area. I hope this makes a few people in our province reasses the dangers, but I don't count on it. The oil companies have been a huge part of Alberta for years and years now. And God forbid you say anything about it where I am. You will hear all about how you should just stop using cars, and electricity and how if you are against oil and gas you should give up all modern comforts and live in a mud hut. As long as the oil companies keep employing people here at good wages, you won't see them be held accountable. They do, at least, pay large amounts in royalties, and they will also be paying for the clean up. Still....
