Wildsight and Flathead Coalition Headed to BP AGM in London

British Petroleum is remaining silent. The residents of Fernie aren’t.

On Saturday, nearly 300 residents of Fernie took to the streets to oppose BP and their proposals to drill for coalbed methane (CBM) in southeastern B.C.’s Flathead and Elk Valley. To no surprise, BP representatives were not present.

“This was a farewell party,” says Wildsight Program Manager Casey Brennan. “There have been many chances for BP to participate in public discussion about the fate of our communities. So far, BP has chosen not to be a part.

“We’ll take that silence as confirmation that they know people don’t want them here,” says Brennan.

To make sure the truth hits home, representatives of Wildsight and the Flathead Coalition will fly to London, England this week to attend BP’s annual general meeting and meet with major shareholders.

“BP executives should know there is more than just profit at stake here,” says Wildsight Program Manager Kat Hartwig, who will be representing the organization in London. “The health and well being of entire communities will be negatively affected if this spectacular land is disfigured.”

As a result of extensive campaigning by locals and conservationists, the provincial government was forced in February to decline BP’s proposal to drill for CBM in the nearby Flathead Valley. In a letter to Wildsight, B.C. Premier Gordon Campbell stated his government, “...received a lot of public and professional input on this matter, and have decided that the British Petroleum proposal for the extraction of coalbed methane will not be permitted on the Canadian side of the Flathead River Basin.”

Yet, East Kootenay MLA Bill Bennett said the provincial government is holding the door open for BP to re-enter the Flathead at a future date.

“The tenure document actually indicates they (BP) can apply later to explore in the Flathead,” said Bennett in February. “Let’s see how they do in the Elk River drainage first.”

Campbell’s government is very close to granting BP the right to drill a 300 sq. km area adjacent to Fernie. A decision is expected this spring.

“BP and the Campbell government are failing to provide substantial, truthful information about this issue,” says Brennan. “We just want to make sure they know there will be people and communities affected here.”
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For more information, contact:
Casey Brennan
Wildsight Southern Rockies and Flathead Program Manager
casey@wildsight.ca
250.423.2603 - h
250.423.0402 - c