B.C. government says no to Northern Gateway
Posted May 31, 2013 3:22 pm.
This article is more than 5 years old.
The province of British Columbia has ended years of speculation, telling a federal review panel that it does not support the Northern Gateway pipeline.
In its final written submission to the review panel, the province recommends the $6-billion project should not be approved as it has been proposed by Calgary-based Enbridge.
In a 99-page submission, the province notes the company has made many commitments to oil spill prevention and response but has not presented any real assurance that it will be able to meet those commitments.
The province says the Northern Gateway is not a typical pipeline.
Ottawa will have the final say on whether the project goes ahead.
Two political scientists from Mount Royal University do not think the federal government will push the project through, because it does not want to risk losing seats and support in B.C.
Alberta’s Environment Minister Diana McQueen says she respects that B.C. has concerns about the proposed project that need to be addressed.
“This is an ongoing, federally-regulated review and I expect that the concerns brought forward by the government of British Columbia will be discussed and addressed through that forum.
“British Columbia and Alberta have implemented strong environmental standards to protect and enhance our environment. Our two provinces also have a shared commitment to economic growth and job creation. We believe we can continue to work together on both the environment and the economy, and this was the message I discussed earlier this week during my productive meeting with BC Environment Minister Terry Lake.” The minister says.
Janet Holder, Executive Vice President Western Access with Enbridge also released a statement. She says the five conditions put forward by the B.C. government “cannot be fully met until the end of the Joint Review Panel process. We are working hard to meet the conditions and earn the confidence of the government and the people of BC.” Adding; “at Northern Gateway, we look forward to working with the new BC Government to meet the five conditions.”
The pipeline would transport diluted bitumen from the Alberta oilsands, a substance that is not well understood and which would have a profound effect in the event of a spill.
The review panel will hear final arguments starting next month, and a final report is due to the federal government by the end of the year.
