To the editor:

Re: "12th and Cambie: Mayor Robertson, what's your alternative to crude, dude?" April 26, "12th and Cambie: Mayor Robertson responds to oil tanker challenge," May 4.

Great piece! Thanks. I'm wondering why there isn't any pressure to ship refined product to Asia? My understanding is that when there is a spill (I believe it's not if, it's when) refined product would evaporate and not cause the catastrophic consequences of an oil spill we see happen else where. I know that the response to the refinery idea is that it is not "cost effective." It's cheaper to build super refineries in Asia. And, I'm pretty sure the feds are not green, so if not by some miracle, this expansion proposal will probably go through. I think it would be a better use of time if the mayor reposition his opposition. Wouldn't an alternative plan like pushing for new refineries help us rally as a team instead of being divided (again) on such an important issue?

Rebecca Kovacs, Vancouver