Campbell's reckless expansion of coalbed methane must stop - James

Burnaby - Unlike Gordon Campbell, Carole James and the NDP will suspend further coalbed methane extraction in British Columbia until a series of strict commitments are met by the industry and government.

"Ordinary people across the province are concerned about the toxic consequences of coalbed methane extraction," said James. "Gordon Campbell failed to ensure that there were adequate environmental protections in place before offering industry incentives to drill for coalbed methane."

James said the NDP supports the five point plan developed by Citizens Concerned about Coalbed Methane, which mandates greater community consultation, as well as an enhanced environmental assessment process that assesses the cumulative effects of multiple well sites. Currently the oil and gas industry is exempt from the environmental assessment process.

"Gordon Campbell allowed corporations to drill coalbed methane wells at the headwaters of major river systems without asking First Nations and communities if they were willing to take the environmental risks," said James.

The Union of British Columbia Municipalities has passed several resolutions asking the BC government to suspend coalbed methane extraction, and during the 2008 First Nations Summit BC First Nations voted unanimously in favour of a ten-year moratorium on further coalbed methane drilling.

"First Nations and communities have no confidence in Gordon Campbell's environmental assessment process," said James. "It's time to halt further coalbed methane extraction until stronger protections are in place. Our watersheds are too important to risk."

Citizens Concerned about Coalbed Methane's plan for safer CBM can be found here