Dear Editor:                                    Would you trust a desperate politician to tell you the truth? Christy Clark promises untold riches with the development of natural gas in B.C.
Is this accurate? The price of natural gas will likely go from around $4  to the world price of $15 as soon as we start exporting.
This has already happened in Australia – their prices quadrupled, forcing domestic consumers to pay world prices. Will our pipelines turn out to be expensive pipedreams?
According to data from C.I.A. World Factbook, Canada has less than one per cent of the world’s proven reserves of natural gas.
The Middle East natural gas producing nations have more than 25 per cent, Russia has 18 per cent, the U.S. three per cent, and Australia has 1.27 per cent. China, at 1.02 per cent, possesses enough natural gas to supply itself – at present consumption – for 200 years.
Because of fracking technology, the world is awash in natural gas, so who will buy it from Canada? Competition is fierce and we are far away from most markets.
Canada ranks at number 20 on a list of 100 countries with proven gas reserves.
It will take years to prepare the infrastructure to be ready to export. What will the world’s future energy picture look like? It’s a risky and very expensive investment.
The International Energy Agency reports the U.S. will likely be energy self-sufficient in six or seven years. Bloomberg.com has reported that in 2013, America will become the largest producer of liquid fuels (oil, natural gas liquids and bio-fuels), surpassing Russia and Saudi Arabia.
Energy experts predict gas will replace oil as the worldwide dominant energy source by 2030. In the world of energy producers, who plan decades ahead, that is practically tomorrow.
If the world demands less oil, what does this mean for our oil industry?
Will the U.S. need our oil and gas?
As the world becomes more fuel efficient and relies less on oil, the costliest and dirtiest oil supplies, including oil sands, will be the first to cease production.
Presently, B.C. spends $29 billion annually on our health care and education. Revenue to B.C. from the oil and gas sector totals $1.4 billion – a drop in the bucket compared to the environmental and financial risks we could face from pipeline leaks, increased tanker traffic and cleanup costs.
More than ever, our future is at stake. Think before you vote.
Sincerely,

Paul McCavour and Julie Turner
Osoyoos, B.C.