Fossil fuel giant ExxonMobil is relinquishing its long-standing oil and gas exploration permits that threaten sensitive marine ecosystems on the B.C. coast — a heartening development, a coalition of environmental groups say.
The move by the oil and gas company is encouraging, say the groups waging a lawsuit against the federal government over historical “sleeper” permits that expose B.C. waters — and marine protected areas in particular — to environmental threats from exploratory drilling.
The environmental groups launched a court challenge in July disputing the legality of sleeper permits — which were granted to big oil corporations in the 1960s and 1970s but still remain valid. The court case alleges Natural Resources Canada has extended the permits indefinitely, a move inconsistent with the Canada Petroleum Resources Act.
Shell Canada voluntarily gave up its exploration rights for vast stretches of the B.C. coast, including a third of the Scott Islands MPA, not long after the conservation area was established In 2018. The chain of five small islands shelters the highest concentration of breeding seabirds on Canada’s Pacific coast, including 90 per cent or more of the national population for the tufted puffin and common murre as well as fully half of the world’s population of Cassin’s auklets.
South Africa Latest News, South Africa Headlines
Similar News:You can also read news stories similar to this one that we have collected from other news sources.
Environmental groups celebrate as ExxonMobil gives up oil exploration permits in B.C.Environmental groups are celebrating after ExxonMobil relinquished offshore oil and gas exploration permits in British Columbia dating back more than 50 years.
Read more »
Environmental groups celebrate as ExxonMobil gives up oil exploration permits in B.C.Environmental groups are celebrating after ExxonMobil relinquished offshore oil and gas exploration permits in B.C. dating back more than 50 years.
Read more »
B.C.'s record fossil fuel export revenues in 2022 a 'fragile' windfallThe B.C. government received a record amount of revenue from coal exports in 2022.
Read more »
B.C. Climate News: Europe experienced second-warmest winter on record | Environmental groups applaud ExxonMobil giving up oil exploration permits in B.C. | CSIS warns climate change threatens Canadian securityB.C. Climate News: Europe experienced second-warmest winter on record | Environmental groups applaud ExxonMobil giving up oil exploration permits in B.C. | CSIS warns climate change threatens Canadian security, prosperity,
Read more »
Farmers, environmental activists hold demos in The HagueThousands of farmers and anti-establishment demonstrators protested Saturday in a park in The Hague against Dutch government plans to reduce nitrate emissions, while climate activists angry at what they call state support for the fossil fuel industry broke through police lines to block a major road elsewhere in the city.
Read more »