Why is there is no refinery being built directly at the source?

On Monday I wrote about the proposed Northern Gateway Pipeline, and the review process which is now finally underway.  My opinion piece began by saying;

"The Northern Gateway oil pipeline, proposed to run from the oil sands of Alberta, to Kitimat in British Columbia, has many opponents – and champions. 

On one hand, we have thousands of jobs on the line, and millions in much needed tax revenues are in limbo, waiting approval.  On the other, are the environmental concerns that are also very much on the minds of Western Canadians. 

Some though, from outside of Canada, are trying to disrupt and stall the review of this project for their own self-interests, and personal glorification in the media..."

It didn’t take long for a comment to come in on it.  One person asked:

Here’s a stupid question, but why don’t the governments of British Columbia, Alberta, Saskatchewan and Canada each throw in $500B to take a 50% interest in a refinery at Bruderheim.  That way, we could ship middle and light distillates to both the USA and Asia via rail, forgoing the need (and opposition) for a pipeline altogether? 

Allowing that to happen is indeed insane … it is wrong and it distorts the whole process

Route of the Northern Gateway pipeline

The Northern Gateway oil pipeline, proposed to run from the oil sands of Alberta, to Kitimat in British Columbia, has many opponents – and champions.  

On one hand, thousands of jobs, along with millions in much needed tax revenues, are in limbo waiting approval. On the other hand however are environmental concerns that are also very much on the minds of Western Canadians.  

Some though, from outside of Canada, are trying to disrupt and stall the review of this project for their own self-interests, and personal glorification in the media.

Today’s edition of the Globe and Mail has a story entitled, “‘Radical groups’ spur Tories to speed pipeline review process”.  Here is the beginning of this news story;

The Conservative government will bring forward new rules to greatly shorten environmental reviews of pipelines and other major projects, arguing that “radical groups” are exploiting the reviews to block proposals vital to Canada’s economic future.