Environment & Energy webcasts feature opposing views on Pebble Mine

Environment & Energy TV (E&ETV), a national online environmental and energy news service, has brought back its focus to the proposed Pebble Mine in a recent interview with Jason Metrokin, CEO of Bristol Bay Native Corporation (BBNC). The same program featured an interview earlier this year with John Shively, CEO of the Pebble Limited Partnership.

Metrokin spoke with E&ETV host Monica Trauzzi on October 12, 2011. He highlighted the perspective of Alaskans who believe both in responsible resource development and protecting the salmon resources in Bristol Bay.

“Alaskans know that resource development is going to continue to be the backbone of the economy, but there are resources that are worth protecting and there are cultures and subsistence lifestyles that are worth protecting, especially within the Native community,” Metrokin said. Asked whether he saw a scenario where mining and fishing could coexist, he responded, “Not in this location.”

Transcript of Metrokin interview
In a separate interview that aired on June 22, 2011, John Shively, CEO of the Pebble Limited Partnership, made the case for allowing mine developers to complete a plan and then proceed through the permitting process. He noted that the permitting process won’t begin until 2012 or 2013.

When asked about the plan meeting high environmental standards, he said: “In terms of the environmental side, I’m relatively convinced that the technology is there for us to do what we need to do in terms of water management, in terms of developing a tailings impoundment facility that will withstand potential seismic events… .”

Transcript of Shively interview

E&ETV’s OnPoint video webcast program offers weekday interviews featuring environmental and energy policy leaders. These interviews are available both in Flash videos and through transcripts. The creators of E&ETV also offer current news at Environmental and Energy News Daily.