Editor:

From documents submitted by Enbridge to the Joint Review Panel, here are the 鈥渕aximum volume releases鈥� of diluted bitumen which could spew from the 3 sections of dilbit pipe between the currently proposed valves near 亚洲天堂 Lake. Volumes for the condensate pipeline are not shown in the documents. [鈥渉ttp://www.northerngateway.ca/jrp-maps鈥漖.

Between the proposed pumping station and 鈥渢he Narrows鈥� = 24,352 barrels = 3,871,968 litres

Crossing the Narrows = 21,775 barrels = 3,462,225 Litres

Between the Narrows and Maxan Creek = 153,129 barrels = 24,347,511 Litres

For comparison: Kalamazoo spill = 20,000 barrels = <3,200,000 Litres

It certainly was reassuring to hear Enbridge鈥檚 pledge of 鈥渦nlimited liability鈥�, and about the 鈥渆arly, planning stages鈥� of their emergency response 鈥減rogram鈥� which aims to 鈥済et the environment back to the way it was before鈥� a catastrophe. It was reassuring to learn of their 鈥渆volving emergency responses鈥�, old-fashioned booms and skimmers, and of their Shoreline Clean-up Assessment Technique (SCAT) process. Their 鈥渦nified command鈥� approach to clean-up operations 鈥� engaging and involving Enbridge, the BC government, 鈥淎boriginals鈥�, local governments, and the federal government, along with local first responders 鈥� might even bring us jobs.

But we heard very little about real evacuation plans, response times, anticipated risks, spill volumes, gas clouds, fireballs and explosions.

Yet, various readily available Material Safety Data Sheets (MSDS) for dilbit show that the condensate diluents quickly separate from the bitumen, and evaporate into a toxic, potentially explosive cloud. Without necessarily any warning odour being sensed, petro-chemicals and hydrogen sulphide irritate the eyes, nose, throat and lungs; cause headaches, dizziness, fatigue, seizures and other neurotoxic effects; and may cause breathing failure, coma and death. With a  flashpoint around minus 18 degrees Celsius, its own static discharge is known to ignite one component. Testimony to the US House of Representatives鈥� House Committee on Energy and Commerce reports that the low flash point and high vapour pressure of the condensate increases the risk of 鈥渆xploding with catastrophic results鈥�. [online at: 鈥渉ttp://democrats.energycommerce.house.gov/sites/default/files/image_uploads/Testimony_06.15.11_EP_Swift.pdf鈥漖

To a question from the public about decommissioning old pipelines, we were told that Enbridge would 鈥渄rain every drop鈥� from all abandoned pipelines. Yet weeks after the Kalamazoo disaster, residents up to 50 kilometres away could still smell fumes.

But that won鈥檛 happen here. 鈥淟et me state emphatically that the chance of this scenario ever occurring is zero.鈥� Yes, and the 61 kilometre-long tar slick still on the bottom of the Kalamazoo is, we are told, all cleaned up too. Sure it is. Roulette anyone?

With concern,

John Phair