1/22 Zebra mussel, BC pipe, punishing polluters. buying Colstrip, disaster communications, Seth Muir

Zebra mussels [USDA]

Zebra mussel Dreissena polymorpha
Zebra mussels are native to the Caspian Sea, and were introduced into the Great Lakes in the mid 1980’s in ships ballast water. Zebra mussels have since spread to more twenty states, and two Canadian Provinces. Because the mussels can live out of water for up to a month if they are not subjected to heat or extreme drying conditions they may be easily transported on recreational boats.... Usually the zebra mussel is about the size of an adult fingernail, but can be as large as two inches, or as small as a sesame seed. Where introduced they threaten native fish and wildlife by consuming available food and smothering native species. They clog power plant and other water intakes, costing taxpayers millions. (WDFW)

Trans Mountain says significant environmental effects of marine shipping are justified
Serious impacts on the environment from the Trans Mountain pipeline expansion are justified, according to the company. Trans Mountain made that argument to the National Energy Board last week as part of the Reconsideration process after the Federal Court of Appeal quashed the project. The NEB will consider environmental effects on marine shipping from the Westridge terminal in Burnaby as part of the reconsideration process. Trans Mountain acknowledges conclusions already drawn by the NEB that the expansion will have serious environmental effects on the southern resident killer whales, Indigenous peoples traditional use of marine areas and culture, greenhouse gas emissions, Pacific salmon and steelhead trout, and environmental effects that could come from an oil spill. Lauren Boothby reports. (CityNews)

Punish polluters with jail if necessary: B.C. poll
British Columbians are almost unanimous in their disdain for polluters, even among industries that enrich us economically, according to a poll released Monday. More than 80 per cent support strong penalties — including jail time — for people and companies that damage our natural environment, according to a poll of 1,658 British Columbians conducted by McAllister Opinion Research. The poll was commissioned by the Real Estate Foundation of B.C., a philanthropic group directed by appointees from the real estate industry and government. The margin of error is plus or minus 2.41 per cent, 19 times out of 20. Similarly, 81 per cent want to see large companies finance a pool of funds that would pay for the full cost of restoration after logging, mining and oil and gas extraction. Randy Shore reports. (Vancouver Sun)

Bill Would Empower The State To Buy Colstrip Power Plant
Lawmakers in Helena are starting to debate whether the state could borrow up to $500 million to buy the coal-fired power plant in Colstrip.  The future of the plant is up in the air. The West Coast consumers who Colstrip sends most of its power to are pushing away from coal-powered electricity due to climate change concerns. Coal power is also becoming more expensive relative to electricity generated by natural gas and renewables. "There’s many people that work at Colstrip asked me to introduce a bill to save their jobs,” Billings Republican Representative Rodney Garcia said. Garcia introduced the Montana Energy Security Act (HB 203), Monday. It would allow the state to sell bonds to finance the purchase of the coal-fired power plant, and allow plant workers to keep all the benefits they had under their private employer. Corin Cates-Carney reports. (Montana Public Radio)

Pipeline explosions to protests: Companies need to communicate with public during crisis, urges consultant
Some natural resource companies in Northern B.C. are pre-emptively preparing in case disaster hits by coming up with a communication strategy for incidents from pipeline explosions to protests. Silence is the worst path a company can take during a crisis, according to communications consultant Martin Livingstone. "In this era of instant notifications and social sharing, companies in the crosshairs really need to act swiftly and decisively in responding to a crisis," said Livingstone, who works with the Vancouver-based Living Communications Inc. He's in Prince George this week, leading a workshop on crisis communication at the annual B.C. Natural Resources Forum. Clare Hennig reports. (CBC)

Muir steps down as Salish director
Seth Muir is stepping down after seven years at the helm of Salish Sea Expeditions, the nonprofit has announced. Muir’s last day as executive director was Jan. 16. He is leaving to become the executive director with Sail Sand Point.... The board for Salish Sea Expeditions has appointed Matt Eldridge as interim executive director while the organization conducts a national search for a new director. Previously, Eldridge served on Salish’s board and separately as its interim executive director. He also chaired the search committee that hired Muir in early 2012. (Bainbridge Review)


Now, your tug weather--
West Entrance U.S. Waters Strait Of Juan De Fuca-  215 AM PST Tue Jan 22 2019   
SMALL CRAFT ADVISORY IN EFFECT THROUGH LATE TONIGHT   
TODAY  E wind 15 to 25 kt easing to 10 to 20 kt in the  afternoon. Wind waves 1 to 3 ft. W swell 5 ft at 10 seconds  building to 9 ft at 10 seconds in the afternoon. Rain. 
TONIGHT  SE wind 10 to 20 kt becoming SW 15 to 25 kt after  midnight. Wind waves 2 to 4 ft. W swell 9 ft at 10 seconds. Rain.


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