EnergyBC

About Energy BC

Energy BC is an initiative by the University of Victoria and Coasts Under Stress to deliver independent, nonpartisan information to the public on issues relevant to possible petroleum activities offshore BC. We seek to facilitate and promote public awareness, appreciation, education and participation in discussion of this and other energy related issues.

1. Objectives

A) Deliver independent, non-partisan information to the public on the issues relevant to possible petroleum activities offshore BC

B) Facilitate and promote public awareness, appreciation, education and participation in the discussion and decisions of these issues

• Collect and collate the most relevant information and aspects related to potential oil and gas exploration and development along BC’s offshore

• Actively acquire critical information on the benefits, disadvantages, challenges, questions, governance and alternatives surrounding this petroleum issue

• Produce a series of information poster/brochures conveying the key aspects that can be readily accessed and understood by the public

• Create an interactive web site that contains the brochure information together with additional in-depth coverage including current information and links

2. Introduction

There is considerable discussion and interest surrounding the possible renewal of exploration and production activities for oil and gas along BC’s coast. The topic generates considerable excitement amongst the proponents who view this as a viable opportunity to generate revenues and employment for people in the northern coastal communities. It also raises serious questions about the risks, benefits, economics, responsibilities, and needs arising from such activities.

It has become apparent that there is a strong need by various stakeholders in the issue of petroleum activities along BC’s coast, e.g., federal, provincial and municipal governments, non-governmental agencies, industry, First Nations, the public, etc., for a clear and unbiased assembly and presentation of information related to offshore oil and gas. There are past and ongoing panel discussions and reports that do serve a vital function, but they have specific and restricted mandates. People can look to our group, partly through the SSHRC/NSERC funded “Coast Under Stress” program, to serve as a reliable information clearinghouse, unfettered by specific agendas or interests (e.g., www.coastsunderstress.ca/pubs/whiticar.pdf).

In some cases it is possible to harmonize the apparently disparate positions and opinions arising from the topic. At the very least, a full, open, inclusive discussion of the facts from a non-partisan source should facilitate an appreciation and understanding of the issues. Such pubic discourse will help people formulate their own opinions on the topic and help optimize the outcomes and maximize the benefits for those who are affected most by the issue. This discussion should also serve the greater BC and Canadian communities as well.

Although this proposal does not expect to build a comprehensive information repository, per se, we do plan to: 1. Have a structure to acquire and hold the key, salient components, 2. Organize them in an easily accessible format, and 3. Have mechanisms of delivery and points of entry for a broad user-base. From our perspective it is critical that the information be packaged in such a manner that the general public can quickly and straightforwardly gain the knowledge and insights they seek regarding the offshore petroleum issue. We have tried to create a “living” web site that can continually update the situation. The web site will provide more in-depth information and allow access to those not utilizing the poster/brochures or seeking expanded or more comprehensive information.