This is the fight the University of Calgary will surely lose and it should set down now before it ruins its reputation.
The university is proposing a carbon storage research program at its Rothney Observatory site near Millarville in the MD of Foothills.
The project is to learn more about monitoring CO2 once it is underground.
The storage proposal will be on an extremely small scale, however, residents and the Cross family have spoken out in opposition to the proposal.
This could well turn into a public relations nightmare for the university and the proposal should be scrapped now before it turns into a disaster to the U of C.
The university should step down from this battle for two reasons.
First, the residents in the area supported the Dark Skies Initiative two years ago which will prolong the life of the university’s observatory. Although the project was developed by the MD of Foothills, its main propose was to ensure the university could continue to have a research observatory in the MD by reducing light pollution in the region. Through the Dark Skies Initiative residents in the area have agreed to specific types of lighting in their yards and certain types of development in the area.
The residents made a sacrifice for the university and now it is time for the U of C to return the favour.
Second, is this project worth the university alienating one of its most significant benefactors?
The Cross family donated 160 acres to the university for the observatory on the premise the land would be used to education and research.
The university is arguing the carbon storage project fits that criteria and that may well be true, but the Cross family speaking out in opposition to the project due to environmental concerns.
Once the donation is made the Cross family cannot dictate what the university does with the land, but the U of C should also respect the spirit of that donation.
Besides, taking a stand against the family of Ann and Sandy Cross could make other potential donors think twice.
This is a worthwhile project, but there are other options for this carbon storage research.
The Province and oil and gas companies stand to benefit from this research, therefore, it only makes sense they share the risk.
The U of C should abandon the observatory site and approach the Province and oil and gas companies about donating land for this project in a more isolated area.
