Government mulls tar sands

The document is the Ministry’s response to a report by the Joint Select Committee (JSC) on an inquiry into the strategies and incentives to promote new production in the energy industry.

The JSC report had said, “The Committee recommends that the MEEI submit a report to the Committee on the research findings to date on the future use of tar sands in TT.

“The report should clearly delineate actions needed and timelines in the event that pursuing this activity is deemed appropriate taking into consideration economic and environmental factors.” In response the Ministry said, “The MEEI agrees with the recommendation of the Committee and will review and compile a report addressing the research findings to date, which will include the delineation of actions needed and time-lines.” Tar sands are a mix of clay, sand, water and bitumin, the latter which is extracted for refining into oil. The extraction of tar sands in Alberta, Canada have provoked heated debate over economy versus ecology.

The possibility of extracting tar sands at La Brea was first mooted by the then energy minister, Conrad Enill, in the former Patrick Manning Administration but with little or any follow up action.