NEB approves Northern Gateway Pipeline with conditions

CALGARY (NEWS1130) – A review panel is recommending that the proposed Northern Gateway pipeline that would connect the Alberta oilsands to tankers on the BC coast go ahead.

But the panel has attached 209 conditions to the project.

The final decision rests with the federal government, which has roughly six months to respond to the report.

“From the beginning of this project, Northern Gateway has worked with one goal in mind: to access new markets by building a safer, better pipeline.” says Janet Holder, the leader of the Northern Gateway Project

The controversial $6-billion proposal has pitted Calgary-based Enbridge (TSX:ENB) against environmental groups and several First Nations.

They have raised concerns about the possibility of an oil spill on land or off the coast of British Columbia.

Supporters say the line is critical if Alberta is to get its oil to emerging markets in Asia.

BC Environment Minister Mary Polak maintains Northern Gateway still needs to meet the province’s five conditions for approval.

“I think we’re in a position where those five conditions are now being supported by Alberta but being understood by the federal government. I think we’re seeing that reflected in the language that they are using.”

Skeena Bulkley Valley MP Nathan Cullen says given the number of conditions, the process appears backwards.

“It seems Enbridge can get their permits even with those questions unanswered and left unanswered for two, three four years from now. It’s upside down. They don’t have a marine spill plan, yet they are getting their green light.”

And he feels the public process was flawed.

“About 1,200 people came to testify. Nine thousand wrote in with submissions. They were overwhelmingly opposed. That didn’t seem to matter. Why go through all of that if it doesn’t count?”

Federal Natural Resources Minister Joe Oliver says the government will review the report, consult with affected Aboriginal groups and then make its decision.

Ben West of ForestEthics says the politically-smart option for the feds would be to say no to Northern Gateway.

“Quite frankly, I think if the Harper government tries to push an unpopular project through a province that really doesn’t want it, I think there’s going to be a political price to pay in 2015 and it’s quite like that this pipeline won’t see shovels in the ground until the election is over.”

West says the project can also expect legal challenges from First Nations, which he predicts will make it tough for Enbridge to proceed.

Leaders of the First Nations Summit and the Union of BC Indian Chiefs are calling on the federal government to reject the recommendation.

The Raincoast Conservation Foundation says political and corporate agendas won out over the interests of the public.

David Miller of the World Wildlife Fund questions how the panel could acknowledge there are risks to the environment, yet still recommend the project.

“We are extremely disappointed the JRP has not heard the people of BC who agree oil pipelines and tankers present too great a risk to the Great Bear region” says Miller in a statement.

“We urge the Canadian government to boldly defend this globally important Canadian place by deciding “no” on Enbridge’s Northern Gateway pipeline project,” he adds.

The panel’s conditions include:

• Develop a Marine Mammal Protection Plan.
• Prepare a caribou habitat restoration plan.
• Develop a training and education monitoring plan.
• Prepare an enhanced marine spill trajectory and fate modelling.
• Develop a research program on the behaviour and cleanup of heavy oils.
• Conduct pre-operations emergency response exercises and develop an emergency preparedness and response exercise and training program