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Writer would like more refinery talk

I would like to thank David Black for his opinion column in the Nov. 10 edition of The NEWS

I would like to thank David Black for his opinion column in the Nov. 10 edition of The NEWS regarding his position on green refineries. I believe he outlined a very important option available to the citizens of B.C.

The statistics he cited regarding the historical success (or lack thereof) in cleaning up oil spills was informative. Although I cannot speak to the accuracy of the results, I can as a citizen understand the complexities involved in recovery of these products. I also think it important to understand what is meant by recovery. Does recovery mean the return of the product to a re-usable state or simply the ability to remove it from the free environment state to a contained waste product that then has to be disposed of properly? This was not detailed in Black’s discussion.

Points raised by Black regarding the building green B.C. export refineries are important and would benefit from expanded discussion. Black also cited spill history regarding diesel spills and their existence on surface waters, another important point. I would like to see scientific evidence or studies done of this as opposed to crude oil, or bitumen. I appreciate the commentary that his proposal would reduce CO2 emissions, but would like further detail of what is entailed in building refineries as described by Black. This discussion could then be used to in turn calculate the contributions required by federal, provincial and private investment to put plants such as these in place.

In summary, I support much of what Black is proposing. I feel in his position as chair and majority owner of Black Press Group Ltd. he is uniquely placed to champion this discussion and provide the voting population information needed to support candidates in the coming provincial election. I would invite Black to please expand on his ideas in his publications. I would also ask provincial candidates to include this discussion as a part of their campaign programs for the pending May, 2017 election.

Well done Mr. Black.

Kelly Sidener

Parksville