500 Ducks Die at Oil Sands Tailings Pond

[asd]

I discovered this Forum last winter, while looking for more information on high tech toys. So it's quite puzzling to find a thread on environmental disaster.

Cudos to Hugh for pointing out the wind turbines as a red herring -- yes, issue is tailing pond and ducks. Now, I 'll pipe in and add that the previous comment by jwt873 presents a false dilemma. There are more choices than allowing ducks to die in tailing ponds or ending a multi-billion dollar industry.

The Deputy Premier of Alberta is in Washington, discussing the oil industry in AB. The image of 500 ducks dead or dying because of inadequate environmental programs, related to oil sand development, is a nightmare for him. Once the Bush era is over, the next administration -- whether Obama, Clinton, or McCain -- has pledged to drastically increase environmental standards related to energy production. If AB doesn't clean up its act on its own, be seen to do something to mitigate the senseless slaughter of migratory water fowl, the US and other external forces will, in effect, do it for them.

Corporate Calgary might tell Stelmac what to do but the international community of petroleum users tells our local oil barons how to behave. Unfortunately, I think it will take external forces to set AB straight because the smell of money has too many Albertans on a high. Calgary area might indeed be the wealthiest place on earth, recently replacing Luxembourg, but I think the environmental experts need to remind us it's not the money but what we do with the money that counts in the long run.

[hugh]

I have deleted some posts on folks discussing wind turbines.

Stay on topic folks.

[Nanuuk]

Syncrude has been in operation for 30 years without a major incident like this. There's a risk yes and this disaster is an anomaly. When compared to wildlife tolls from other industries and processes or just human activity, 500 ducks is insignificant. That's not to say every possible measure shouldn't be taken to prevent a reoccurrence, but this story needs perspective.

[Luis_A51]

Originally Posted by Nanuuk

Syncrude has been in operation for 30 years without a major incident like this. There's a risk yes and this disaster is an anomaly. When compared to wildlife tolls from other industries and processes or just human activity, 500 ducks is insignificant. That's not to say every possible measure shouldn't be taken to prevent a reoccurrence, but this story needs perspective.

Of course it needs perspective. I agree with pretty much everything you've said.

But I guarantee the general public wont. There are countless headlines every day that people make a big deal about, but no one seems to care about perspective or overall context. Syncrude, and more importantly Stelmach's crusade down south, will take a huge hit.

[hugh]

but this story needs perspective.

Exactly. And from what I can read this is an ecological disaster that came about because SynCrude blithely ignored the rules of this country. Is there a different perspective?

That's in addition to charges the company could face for failing to keep the migratory birds off the ponds in the first place, which alone carries a potential $1-million maximum fine.

Seems to me that Syncrude should be tarred and feathered. (pun intended)

[asd]

Nanuuk, isn't the statement "a major incident like this" at odds with the later comment "500 ducks is insignificant"?

There are energy companies, like Shell and Exxon, which take PR seriously. They pioneered scenario issues management, in fact. But there are also smaller independent ones that cut their communications staff to the bone when there is a hint of a down turn. This issue needs to be taken seriously by Syncrude because whether the issue is significant isn't decided by the oil patch, or their friends in the Leg, it's decided by national and international media and they've decided it is significant. Five hundred ducks have become a symbol of greed and cutting corners.

[Nanuuk]

I don't think my two statements are incongruous. I also find Syncrude's explanation to be reasonable. They deploy these 'sonic' cannons yearly as a part of their operating license. They couldn't deploy them in time this years because of the screwy weather. Anyone who has lived out here for any length of time can attest that even the ducks sometimes don't know whether to fly north or south because of the weather.

[FortMacDude]

Syncrude has been in operation for 30 years without a major incident like this.

At least none that have been discovered/reported...;-)

[jshel101]

I also think the loss of the 500 birds is unfortunate. I also think that there are oil companies out there that do care about the environment. I for one work for one of the larger ones. We have large projects in the oilsands and are trying to keep our impact on the environment to the lowest possible level. The company I work for is investing millions in devleoping cleaner methods of oil sands extraction.

The fact is we need the oil from the oilsands, and we need the jobs that this provides for us in Canada. It is easy for people to say that we should shut down the oilsands, but that would be devestating to the economy of Canada. This will not just effect Alberta, but all of Canada would be effected on one way or another. When you include the oil sands, Alberta has the second largest deposits of oil in the world, Saudi Arabia has the most. So we will eventually need this oil.

Anyway, sorry for going offtopic.

[hugh]

deleted lots more posts. This thread is not about the wealthiest cities in Canada or the world.

Its about 500 Ducks Dying at Oil sands tailing pond.

[JesseJ]

That's in addition to charges the company could face for failing to keep the migratory birds off the ponds in the first place, which alone carries a potential $1-million maximum fine.

And what is $1 Million to that company?

Canadian Oil Sands [37% owner in Syncrude] reported revenue for the three months ended Dec. 31 of $1.01 billion compared to $736 million in 2006.

The fine should be $100 Million, or just make them stop everything for 1 day.
But neither the Provincial nor Federal gov't have the stones to really go after these guys.

[Arthur Dent]

I'm all for effective penalties, but, seriously, man - that's $200,000 per duck. At these prices, all ducks will be hunted into extinction overnight.

[hugh]

Certainly they should receive the full million dollar fine and I think prosecuted to the full extent of the law.

Blaming the weather simply doesn't cut it and this would serve as a reminder to other companies that this type of stuff won't be tolerated.

[asd]

Quote: The fact is we need the oil from the oilsands, and we need the jobs that this provides for us in Canada. It is easy for people to say that we should shut down the oilsands, but that would be devestating to the economy of Canada. This will not just effect Alberta, but all of Canada would be effected on one way or another. When you include the oil sands, Alberta has the second largest deposits of oil in the world, Saudi Arabia has the most. So we will eventually need this oil.

Another false dilemma: Who said we should shut down the oil sands? It's not an either or question.

I think it's devastating and affected (minor typo?)

And now the big one that I hope doesn't lead to another flag by Hugh: Isn't the Tar Sands bigger in reserves than all the Middle East? Granted, it's not conventional but unconventional reserves.

BTW, eventually we may not need oil at all

[asd]

Nanuuk,
I would appreciate it if you could clarify how a major incident, a disaster, isn't in contradiction to insignificant.