CKTZ News, Local Journalism Initiative Reporter
Sometime this fall, the Cortes Foundation will be offering the community of Cortes Island a public venue to explore, and bridge, the issues that divide us.
Continue reading Cortes Foundation: Bridging the issues that divide usCKTZ News, Local Journalism Initiative Reporter
Cortes Island is in the midst of a level four drought.
There have been worse dry periods in the instrumental records, much worse according to a University of Victoria study of tree ring data, and most likely more severe droughts in the years to come.
“Summer is very typically a very dry time of year for the Island, as well as for the Gulf Islands. The problem is that because we didn’t get the Spring rains, we’re starting at a level that is lower than what it would be within a typical year,” said Ashlee Jollymore, a Hydrologist with the Water Management Branch in Victoria
Continue reading In a level four drought, what lies ahead?
By Jake Cardinal, Alberta Native News, Local Journalism Initiative Reporter
(ANNews) – The Alberta Energy Regulator (AER) has lifted environmental monitoring restrictions for all oil and gas companies in the province. The lifted restrictions allow for Alberta oil and gas to suspend the monitoring of air, water, and wildlife around worksites.
Continue reading Alberta Removes Oilsands Environmental Monitoring Restrictions
After five years of research, the EPA’s painfully inadequate fracking assessment has been released. “It’s a bit underwhelming,” said Amanda Frank, from the Center for Effective Government. Dr Allan Hoffman, a retired senior analyst with the Department of Energy, referred to the draft report as “disappointing.” They were referring to the extent that industry was allowed to thwart the EPA investigation.
Continue reading The EPA’s Painfully Inadequate Fracking Assessment
During the thirty years prior to the lawsuit, Ernst was a consultant working in the oil and gas sector. She performed like environmental impact assessments, environmental protection plans and recommended mitigation. Encana was one of her customers. Jessica Ernst doesn’t get paid work anymore. Seven years ago she sued against Encana, Alberta Environment and the Energy Resources Conservation Board (ERCB). The case has yet to go beyond the question of whether an Albertan citizen can sue government agencies. When Judge Neil Whittmann ruled the case can proceed, last November, he said (paragraph 56) “there is a reasonable prospect Ernst will succeed in establishing that Alberta owed her a primae facie duty of care.” Did Albertan regulators act in bad faith?
Continue reading Did Albertan Regulators Act In Bad Faith?
