| An environmental organization is urging Calgarians to send letters to the Energy and Utilities Board (EUB) opposing a proposal to drill sour gas wells about one kilometre southeast of the city limits.
The EUB is holding a pre-hearing into the proposal by Calgary-based Compton Petroleum on October 23 to determine who will be allowed to act as an intervener at the hearing, expected to take place early next year. The company wants to drill six new sour gas wells on a site already hosting two wells. Sour gas can be deadly if vented into the air.
The plan is controversial because of its proximity to the city and because the company plans to reduce the emergency planning zone from a 15-kilometre radius – which is home to 300,000 Calgarians – to four kilometres.
The Sierra Club is urging Calgarians who have not registered as interveners in the hearing to write letters to the EUB.
Fighting for green
Canadian environmentalists are looking to the Bush administration’s economists to aid in the fight against urbanization of the Castle Wilderness.
A recently released report from the U.S. government indicates that preserving wildlife does have its payoffs. The report found that every dollar the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency spends on regulations yields seven to 30 times the benefits, all while preserving natural resources and sustaining the environment.
The Castle Crown Wilderness Coalition (CCWC) wants Alberta to invest in the environment and not allow industrial expansion to poison the land. The organization argues that a lack of sufficient funding in Alberta has led to a weak defense against sour gas wells approved in the area, and legal protection for species at risk is nonexistant.
According to CCWC, the report provides substantial economic evidence to show that the Alberta government is looking at short-term payoff and not realizing it is incurring a long-term loss.
Homeless must pay
Alberta Seniors Minister Stan Woloshyn’s proposal to make homeless citizens pay to stay overnight at shelters is causing a moral uproar among critics.
According to Woloshyn, the payment received from the homeless will go into a trust fund set up for the individual with funds accumulated over time made available in the future to help get them back up on their feet.
Alberta Liberal Seniors critic Laurie Blakeman states that Woloshyn failed to consult anyone before instigating the state of action and revealing information to the media.
Woloshyn’s previous policy on the homeless forced workers at shelters to complete lengthy intake forms and also assess each homeless person’s mental state, a policy that was scrapped by the provincial government only weeks ago.
Blackfoot closes
A dispute between the owner of a popular farmer’s market and its vendors has caused its closure after more than 20 years.
The owner and vendors of the Blackfoot Farmer’s Market failed to reach a deal to keep the market operating, and demolition crews moved in October 19. Vendors vow to open their stands elsewhere, but a new facility has not been found. The future of the site of the former market remains uncertain.
Community events
· International Day of Action – An open forum/workshop with a variety of speakers, including Dr. David Swann, professor of community health at the University of Calgary, who will share thoughts on war and the situation in Iraq.
The event will be held Saturday, October 25 from 10 a.m. to 3:30 p.m., with a potluck lunch from 11:50 a.m. to 12:30 p.m., at Parkdale United Church (2919- 8 Ave. N.W.), followed by a Candle Light Vigil at Tomkins Park (17 Ave. and 8 St. S.W.) from 4:30 to 7 p.m. Visit www.candil.ca for details.
· Dr. Vandana Shiva – director of the Research Foundation for Science, Technology and Natural Resource Policy, will speak on opportunities for democracy after WTO’s Second Failure on Sunday, October 26 at 7 p.m. at the Uptown Screen (612 - 8 Ave. S.W.).
Visit www.arusha.org or www.ualberta.ca/parkland, or phone 220-7202, for details. |
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