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Shell’s Jackpine oil sands mine expansion is approved by the Joint Review Panel. Photo: Shell Canada.
Jackpine oil sands mine still must be approved by Canadian and Alberta governments
A joint review panel has given the green light to expanding Shell Canada’s Jackpine oil sands mine, but critics say the project should have been turned down because of numerous adverse impacts on the environment.
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Simon Dyer, Pembina Institute. Photo: Handout.
The proposed expansion to operation north of Fort McMurray would add 100,000 barrels per day to current production. Jackpine is jointly owned by Shell, Chevron and Marathon Oil.
The joint review panel is an independent body appointed by the Canadian Minister of the Environment and the Chairman of the Alberta Energy Resources Conservation Board to assess the environmental effects of the Jackpine expansion project and decide if it is in the public interest.
The panel said in its report “that the Project would likely have significant adverse environmental effects on wetlands, traditional plant potential areas, wetland-reliant species at risk, migratory birds that are wetland-reliant or species at risk, and biodiversity. There is also a lack of proposed mitigation measures that have been proven to be effective.”
The report also noted that the mine expansion would negatively affect local First Nations’ ability to exercise their traditional land use rights will be compromised.
Despite many reservations about Shell’s application, the panel said it “considers these effects to be justified and that the Project is in the public interest.”
Jackpine oil sands mine decision criticized
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Allan Adam, chief of the Athabasca Chipewyan First Nations, speaking to a rally against the project. Photo: ACFN.
Environmental groups and the Athabasca Chipewyan First Nation disagreed.
“We are disappointed to see that the review panel is recommending approval of the Shell Jackpine mine expansion project, despite noting that the project lacks adequate mitigation and will contribute (along with other planned projects) to very significant adverse impacts to aboriginal rights and values, wildlife populations, wetlands, migratory birds and old-growth forests,” Simon Dyer, policy director at the Pembina Institute, said in a release.
“The joint review panel heard from Shell’s own analysis that this project, when added to other planned oilsands projects, will exceed science-based environmental limits for impacts to air quality, wildlife habitat and the Athabasca River — yet the panel recommended approval of the project anyway.”
Athatbasca Chipewyan First Nation chief Allan Adam says his people are pleased that the panel recognized their concerns, but disappointed they were ignored in the report’s recommendations. He says the fight against the project isn’t over yet and he intends to press hard to have Ottawa and Alberta respect treaty rights.
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Mike Hudema, Greenpeace Canada.
“This is an opportunity for the Crown to adequately work with us to translate the Panel’s recommendations into meaningful and enforceable protections for our rights and culture. We are going to the table in good faith and we expect the same from the Crowns. We will be holding them to our Treaty,” he said.
“We stand with the Athabasca Chipewyan First Nation in expressing our disappointment in this decision,” said Greenpeace oil sands campaigner Mike Hudema.
“This project will ensure we exceed Alberta’s pollution limits and accelerate the already overwhelming impacts of the tar sands. It will also greatly increase pressure on pipeline and rail transport at a time when both industries are under heavy scrutiny for safety concerns. The region’s air quality, wild life and communities will pay the price and we will continue to move the fight against climate change in the wrong direction.”
The project still has to be approved by the Canadian and Alberta governments before it can proceed. The joint panel attached 22 conditions the operations will be required to follow and made an additional 88 recommendations to the governments as they consider the project. A decision is expected by late fall.
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