30 Fairmont Park Lane S
Lethbridge, AB
T1K 7H7
Phone: (403) 328-1804
Sunday, July 23, 2006
The Editor
The Lethbridge Herald
P.O. Box 670
Lethbridge, AB, T1J 3Z7
Dear Editor,
The Herald has published several articles this spring commenting on the amount of water needed to produce oil from the oilsands. One article cites the Pembina Institute’s estimate that “every barrel of oil from oilsands mining takes two to 4.5 that much water to produce”. (“Oilsands rush not all that golden”, May 13, 2006, A6)
Another recent article indicates farmers are enthused about a federal plan to increase production of renewable fuels such as biodiesel. (“Government’s interest in biofuels production good news for farmers”, July 19, 2006, A4)
Computare has recently completed an independent study and report on the amount of water needed to grow canola for biodiesel fuel. The report is available at; http://www.computare.org/commentary.htm. The analysis indicates that producing a barrel of canola oil typically consumes 4500 barrels of precious irrigation water in this area.
Farmer and government enthusiasm for this mode of fuel oil production may wane if overall impact on the environment is considered and evaluated.
Yours truly,
Duane Pendergast