Province will disclose recommendations on refinery: Hache

New Brunswick's environment minister is promising to make public any recommendations that are part of a provincial assessment of theproposed Irving Oil refinery in Saint John.

The Canadian Environmental Assessment Agency announced Thursday the proposed scope of the federal environmental impact assessment would be restricted to the effects of building a pier and breakwater on the site. The task of looking at the greenhouse gas emissions that could be emitted by the refinery will fall on the shoulders of the provincial EIA.

Environment Minister Roland Hache and Premier Shawn Graham reacted to criticism that the federal government will not do its own full environmental impact assessment of the project, both saying the province is up to the job.

"Whether [the scientists]work for the federal [government] or for the province, it doesn't make them less competent or more competent," Hache said Thursday.

The provincial process is considered by environmental critics to be less stringent and less transparent.

By letting New Brunswick assess the refinery's emissions, Ottawa could be making it easier for Irving Oil to get approval, environmentalists say.

Hache rejects that supposition, promising to match federal standards for transparency. He told reporters that, even if the law doesn't require it, he'll release whatever recommendations the EIA scientists give him.

Environmentalists are criticizing Ottawa's decision to limit its federal EIA to the marine impact of the refinery, but Graham is welcoming the provincial responsibility in reviewing the project.

"I agree today with the federal government that the province of New Brunswick is best suited to put in place the environmental impact assessment requirements that need to be addressed," he said Thursday.

David Coon, policy director for the Conservation Council of New Brunswick, said in January that provincial environmental reviews are "toothless," and he questioned how tough the Liberal government will be on the refinery, a project that fits its agenda so well.

"The provincial environmental impact process is subject to political pressure," Coon said. "There's no question about it. We've seen it in the past and it could happen in the future."

Coon said it would serve everyone well if the assessment wasdone under federal rules, with an independent review panel that would report publicly.

The provincial Conservatives say they have no objections to Ottawa letting New Brunswick run the EIA, but they want the refinery to be subject to new, stricter emission standards that Hache is expected to release within the next few weeks.

Irving Oil pleased with assessment's focus

Meanwhile, a spokeswoman for Irving Oil said the company is satisfied with the scope of the federal assessment.

Jennifer Parker said federal agencies will be involved in the provincial environmental assessment.

"That would include Environment Canada, Natural Resources Canada, [Department of Fisheries and Oceans] and even Health Canada, I believe, will be involved in the provincial process," Parker said Friday. "Our experience, based on the assessment that we went through on the LNG project, is that the federal and provincial harmonized approach is quite comprehensive and rigorous."