Lac Mégantic (3)

After Lac Mégantic,

KAIROS Endorses Call to Review Hydrocarbon Transport

July 23, 2013 by KAIROS

KAIROS is one of 50 environmental, labour, social justice and faith organizations in Canada and the northeastern United States calling for a comprehensive review of the transport of oil and natural gas.

In the aftermath of the train derailment and subsequent explosion that killed almost 50 people and destroyed the downtown of Lac Mégantic, QC on July 6, the group is calling on the Canadian government to:

• Implement an immediate ban on shipping oil in the older, type 111A tanker cars that have been identified as spill-prone by the Canadian Transportation Safety Board;

• Reinstate mandatory two-person minimum train crews; and

• Launch a comprehensive, independent safety review of all hydrocarbon transportation: pipelines, rail, tanker and truck. This review should include public hearings and an examination of the role of deregulation and privatization in reducing safety standards.

Individuals can show their support for these measures by signing an online petition launched by LeadNow.

In addition, KAIROS member churches and organizations have issued pastoral statements and are providing disaster assistance and pastoral care. Check the links below to see their responses.

The Anglican Church of Canada and The Anglican Diocese of Quebec

The Canadian Conference of Catholic Bishops

The Presbyterian Church in Canada

Primate’s World Relief and Development Fund

The United Church of Canada

The complete list of groups calling for improved oil transport safety regulations:

• Alliance du personnel professionnel et technique de la santé et des services sociaux (APTS)

• Association québécoise de lutte contre la pollution atmosphérique (AQLPA).

• Attention FragÎles

• Audubon Society of New Hampshire

• BC SEA (BC Sustainable Energy Association)

• Bow Valley Naturalists

• Canada’ Citizens Climate Lobby

• Canadian Association of Physiciations for the Environment (CAPE)

• Central Athabasca Stewardship Society

• Centrale des Syndicats nationaux (CSN)

• Centre d’écologie urbaine de Montréal

• Citizens for Responsible Development

• Coalition québécoise pour une gestion responsable de l’eau, EAU SECOURS!

• Coalition Saint-Laurent

• Coalition Vigilance Oléoducs (COVO)

• Conseil de l’environnement de Laval

• Conservation Law Foundation

• Council of Canadians

• David Suzuki Foundation

• DesmogCanada

• Environmental Defence

• ENvironnement JEUnesse (ENJEU)

• Équiterre

• Ernst Environmental Services

• Fondation Rivières

• Forest Ethics Advocacy

• Global Exchange

• Greenpeace Canada

• Greenspiration

• KAIROS

• Keepers of the Athabasca

• La Coalition Vigilance Oléoduc

• Les AmiEs de la Terre de Québec

• Les Citoyens au Courant

• Manitoba Wildlands

• Mouvement vert Mauricie

• National Wildlife Federation

• Polaris Institute

• Public Interest Alberta

• Regroupement interrégional gaz de schiste de la Vallée du St-Laurent

• Sierra Club BC

• Sierra Club of Maine

• Sierra Club Prairie

• Sierra Club Quebec

• Société pour vaincre la pollution

• Toronto Climate Campaign

• Union des consommateurs

• Vermont chapter, Sierra Club

• West Coast Environmental Law

• Wilderness Committee

• 350 Maine

• 350.org

• 350NH

• 350Vermont

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