First Nations call for federal review of carbon capture project for Alberta’s oilsands [Video]

Eight First Nations in Alberta are asking that the $16.5-billion carbon capture and storage project proposed by a consortium of oilsands companies be reviewed under the federal Impact Assessment Act.

Beaver Lake Cree Nation, Cold Lake First Nations, Frog Lake First Nations, Heart Lake First Nation, Kehewin Cree Nation, Onion Lake Cree Nation, and Whitefish (Goodfish) Lake First Nation No. 128 made the request in a letter to federal Environment Minister Steven Guilbeault.

In the letter, dated Nov. 28, the First Nations urge the minister to exercise his discretion to designate the Pathways Alliance proposal as subject to review under the federal act.

“This is a massive and unprecedented project,” the group wrote in the letter.

“[It] carries with it non-negligible, novel, and irreversible adverse impacts.”

The Pathways Alliance is a group of oilsands companies proposing to build what would be one of the world’s largest carbon capture and storage …