Canada still opposes drilling in Arctic refuge
Date: 24-Sep-01
Country: CANADA
Author: David Ljunggren
Natural Resources Minister Ralph Goodale told reporters there were plenty of other energy resources available elsewhere in North America to meet U.S. needs.
Canada has long opposed U.S. plans to drill in the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge (ANWR), saying it would ruin the coastal calving ground of the huge Porcupine caribou herd upon which native Gwich'in Indians in both Alaska and Canada have depended for thousands of years.
"I would not anticipate a change. We have not discussed this matter in the last number of days but our view always has been that those particular areas in ANWR are environmentally sensitive and they should be protected," Goodale said.
"I can understand...why the attitude and the emphasis and some of the commentary flowing from the United States might have changed, but in Canada's view the environmental concerns remain legitimate and it's not a choice of that particular energy resource or nothing," he said.
Last month the House of Representatives passed a comprehensive energy bill that included drilling in ANWR, a remote area that is also home to polar bears and 160 species of migratory birds. Ottawa promised to lobby hard in the United States against any move to start drilling.
Goodale said there were plenty of other sources of energy which could be developed in Canada and elsewhere before ANWR needed to be touched.
These included the vast tar sands of Alberta - believed to be richer that the entire reserves of Saudi Arabia - as well as natural gas deposits in the Arctic, offshore developments on the east coast and the "very significant" potential offered by hydroelectric power.
U.S. industry officials last week said the country had enough petroleum and natural gas to meet demand, and companies have taken steps to protect pipeline, refineries and related facilities from attack.
"Obviously one would expect in light of the events of Sept. 11 that their previous concern (about energy security) would have probably heightened," Goodale said.
"We believe the issues with respect to energy supply and energy security in North America can be very solidly addressed through a whole variety of diversified sources without at the same time impinging on the ANWR," Goodale said.
Canada, which says both countries should provide permanent protection for the wildlife populations that straddle the border, has already slapped a development ban on areas frequented by the Porcupine herd.