But now, and Belsey says this with widening eyes and a confiding grin, recent rumour has it the deposit may be as much as ten billion barrels of oil. Then the benefits. The huge assortment of contracts and spinoffs brought on by the oil rush will unleash fat wads of cash rolling through the northwest. Next are the arguments. Belsey says spills are uncommon, they don't do as much damage as we originally thought, the technology for preventing them is improved, and the industry is strictly regulated.
Bad weather is no big deal, they can drill in summer.
Belsey has heard the Geological Survey of Canada recently downgraded the risk of quakes in the area. No, the government will see to it communities get what's coming to them. Last are the political hurdles. Belsey assures his listeners the federal Minister of Natural Resources, Ralph Goodale, is on record having said he would happily lift the moratorium if BC were only to request it. Although Dan Miller hasn't publicly endorsed offshore exploration, he has sent the Task Force a letter saying the province is in favour of striking a committee to investigate lifting the ban.