Canadian leader bows out of refinery review

VANCOUVER, British Columbia, June 11 (UPI) -- British Columbia Premier Christy Clark said she's recusing herself from decisions about a planned oil refinery in the province, citing a conflict of interest.

"Out of an abundance of caution I've decided to take action today to ensure that there is no conflict, whether that is perceived or real," she said during a Tuesday meeting with reporters.

Clark said she would sit on the sidelines of any government decisions regarding an oil refinery planned in her province by Pacific Future Energy Corp. Her former husband, Mark Marissen, was named executive vice president of communications at the company.

Pacific Future Energy said it would spend the next nine to 12 months conducting feasibility studies for an oil refinery planned for the north coast of the province. The $10 billion project was billed as the "world's greenest refinery," and would process oil sands into refined petroleum products like gasoline and diesel.

A final decision on the project rests with the federal government. Clark stressed she has no business or financial ties with her former spouse.

Energy plans for the western Canadian coast have riled conservation groups and members of the aboriginal community worried about the condition of the region's environment. The heavier grade of crude oil found in Canada is seen by critics as more of a threat to the environment than other types.