Enbridge Project Moves One Step Further - Opinion 250 - News for Northern and Central Interior of British Columbia, Canada

Another step in the process towards construction of Enbridge’s proposed pipeline project has been taken. The Federal Minister of the Environment, Rona Ambrose, has announced the project will now move to the assessment process to be undertaken by an independent review panel.

The review will be conducted to address requirements of both the National Energy Board and the Canadian Environmental Assessment Act. The dual action assessment was a recommendation from the NEB.

The Federal Minister of the Environment says the public consultation part is crucial as the line proposes to cross through "diverse ecological regions and zones" .

In July of this year, Enbridge signed a memorandum of understanding with the Yekooche First Nation northwest of Fort St. James. That agreement has Enbridge providing funding to the Yekooche so they can take part in various aspects of the project including environmental assessment and the collection of data that involves traditional land use, traditional knowledge and archeology.

The $4.1 billion dollar project would see a dual line established that would start in Edmonton Alberta then cross 1150 km to Kitimat B.C. where a marine terminal will be constructed for shipping.

One line would carry up to 400 thousand bbl of tar sands oil to the Kitimat port for export, while the other line would carry condensate back to Edmonton.

The Environmental Assessment Agency is now working to develop a draft Agreement that will set the guidelines for the joint panel review. Comments on the proposed pipeline will be accepted up until the 27th of November.

A copy of the draft Agreement can be found on the Environmental Assessment Agency’s Web site at www.ceaa-acee.gc.ca