MARTIN WALDEMAN: A motion put forth to restrict Nestlé Canada’s water extraction from the Mill Creek watershed in Aberfoyle ontario was defeated yesterday. The Lake Erie Source Protection committee met yesterday at the Grand River Conservation Authority in Cambridge. The committee is responsible for developing drinking water protection plans in a large section of southern Ontario. The meeting included a proposal to stop the Ministry of the Environment to from issuing commercial water permits in the Grand River Watershed until a so-called water budget for the area can be completed.

Nestlé Waters Canada is currently applying for a 10-year permit renewal, which is being considered by the ministry of the environment. Since Guelph is expected to see major population growth in the coming years, its water supply could be under greater strain, but a majority of committee members said the Ministry has the ability to repeal licenses or impose restrictions when necessary. Nestlé’s current permit aloows it to take water at a rate of 2,500 litres per minute, 24-hours per day, to a maximum of 3,600,000 litres per day. Its current permit expires in April. [ index ]

VANESSA PURDY: This past Tuesday, Ontario Northland Transportation Commission pled guilty to a charge of depositing a harmful substance into waters bearing fish. This action is in contravention of the Fisheries Act.

Ontario Northland was convicted in relation to a train derailment that happened March 30, 2007, close to Englehart, Ontario. The derailment resulted in about 220 tonnes of sulphuric acid being spilled. Some of this went into Miller Creek, and eventually Blanche River. $50,000 of the fine Ontario Northland has received will be directed towards the Environmental Damages Fund. The remainder will be given to the Clerk of the Court, Ontario Court of Justice.

Environment Canada was responsible for investigating this case, and in doing so they collaborated with Fisheries and Oceans Canada, the Ministry of Natural Resources, the OPP, and Ontario’s Ministry of the Environment, among others. Environment Canada is responsible for the enforcement of aspects of the Fisheries Act dealing with the disposal of deleterious substances into fish-frequented water. [ index ]

MARTIN WALDEMAN: The Federal government’s latest spending plan is set to make severe cuts to climate change and cultural programs, and put a major investment into law and order measures. Treasury Board President Stockwell Day said it is the first time in 10 years that a government is planning to spend less than the year before, but also comes after two years of government stimulus spending.

Infrastructure-related spending will take the must cuts, but the plan also calls for a 20-per-cent cut to Environment Canada. This would include a 59-per-cent reduction in spending for climate change and clean air. and a 51-per-cent cut to substances and waste management. Meanwhile, government-wide spending on “security and public safety” programs is in line for a 10.1-per-cent boost, and justice and legal programs will receive a 4.8-per-cent increase. Environment Minister Peter Kent said he had made submissions for program funding, but that the ultimate decision belonged to Finance Minister Jim Flaherty. [ index ]

VANESSA PURDY: The B.C. Salmon Farmers Association (BCSFA) has recently said that their entire salmon industry must dispel claims that say it is frequently full misinformation. Currently, the public is targeted through TV ads depicting gullible people believing whatever they are told. These ads The ads suggest people go to a website that lists a many industry “myths” and contrasts them with “facts.” As well, it offers a lively forum for discussion. [ index ]

MARTIN WALDEMAN: Officials in Alberta say there is about $8 billion worth of trees potentially at risk from the mountain pine beetle. A record number of trees are slated to be cut and burned in west-central Alberta as the province continues to try and fight off an ongoing infestation. Crews are planning to destroy nearly 170,000 infested pine trees in the region this spring. Measures against the mountain pine beetle have cost about $225 million since 2005.

Most of the trees slated for cutting are in an area between Slave Lake, Grande Prairie and Hinton, they will be burned to kill the beetles and prevent them from spreading to other pines. The troubles in Alberta are mostly thanks to an influx of mountain pine beetles from B.C. in 2009, caused by strong winds. Dead trees left behind by the beetles are also most susceptible to forest fires. [ index ]

VANESSA PURDY: The Ontario Liberal government’s wind energy program faced court this Thursday, and the charge was dismissed by the Ontario Divisional Court. A small business owner, Ian Hanna, from Prince Edward County, claimed there was no medical evidence to claim that a 550-metre distance between industrial wind turbines and homes was actually safe.

Three judges heard arguments in late January, and decided Thursday to dismiss Hanna’s application. The judges did note, however, that they had little jurisdiction as there was no evidence the regulation was passed in any way that was unconstitutional or without authority.

The judges did concur that the 550-metre setback and other policies under the Green Energy Act could be challenged in court. Indeed, this allowing is precedent setting.

As it stands, turbines are still mandated to be located at least 550 metres from homes; but this, according to several groups has no scientific basis. In conclusion, the court ruled that the placement of turbines can be reviewed on a case-by-case basis.  [ index ]

BRYANT BOULIANNE: China is expected to highlight the environment and ‘green’ energy is its new five-year plan, according to political observers. Nearly 3,000 officials are set to gather in Beijing for the National People’s congress which is held once a year. This year’s congress marks the beginning of a new five-year plan, in which the Chinese Premier outlines the government’s economic policies for the next half-decade. It is expected that the new five-year plan will outline a new, greener tone than any before. It is expected to include new reduction targets for carbon and pollution, and announce increased investment in renewable energy technologies.

China is currently the world’s largest carbon emitter, and relies on coal for 70% of its energy demands. However, China is also the world’s largest investor in green and renewable technologies. The new five-year plan could signal that China is getting serious about clean energy, though the details won’t be known until the congress wraps up later this month. [ index ]

BRYANT BOULIANNE: With oil prices pushing past $100 a barrel, Chris Huhne, the British climate and energy secretary, has declared that transitioning towards a ‘green’ economy is more important than ever. Speaking at a conference on Thursday, he argued that high oil prices could endanger the economy. Prices of $160 per barrel, for example, would cost the British economy $67 billion per year. The time is now to increase investment in renewable energy and to cut reliance on fossil fuels, he argued, suggesting that carbon emissions are no longer just an environmental concern, but also an economic one. [ index ]

BRYANT BOULIANNE: The US government has issued a permit for oil drilling in the Gulf of Mexico; the first new permit since last year’s disastrous spill. The permit went to Noble Energy, an American company based in Texas. The well will be drilled 113km from the Louisiana coast, at a depth of 2km below the sea surface, which is deeper than the Macondo well where last year’s spill occurred. The government says it issued the permit after it was convinced that Noble Energy could safely drill at the location. [ index ]