Prime Minister Justin Trudeau today announced the federal government approval of Enbridge’s $7.5 billion Line 3 pipeline project, and the $6.8 billion Kinder Morgan Trans Mountain project. Trudeau however has dismissed the Northern Gateway project and has maintained his government’s desire to have a moratorium on tanker traffic on British Columbia’s northern coast
In April, the National Energy Board recommended approval of the Canadian part of the Line 3 project with 89 conditions. Line 3 already has a U.S. presidential permit but still requires state regulator approvals
Line 3 would restore the pipeline’s original regulated capacity of 760,000 barrels of oil per day and allow for further expansion to 915,000 barrels per day. The line is almost half a century old and its regulated maximum output has been reduced to about 390,000 barrels per day. The oil goes to refinery markets in Chicago, the U.S. Gulf Coast and the Eastern U.S. and Canada.
It would involve 1,660 kilometres of pipe between Hardisty, Alta., to Superior, Wisc and crosses through Saskatchewan, Manitoba, North Dakota and Minnesota
For Trans Mountain, the National Energy Board recommended approval of the expansion in May, attaching 157 conditions. British Columbia has set five conditions to support any pipelines to the coast, including advanced oil spill response systems, First Nations consultations and financial benefits for the province. The mayors of Vancouver and Burnaby are staunchly opposed to the project?. The project would twin an existing pipeline, increasing capacity from 300,000 barrels a day to 890,000 barrels a day. The Burnaby terminal would be expanded with three new berths. Tanker traffic at the terminal would rise from about five to 34 per month
Trudeau made specific mention of the role Alberta Premier Rachel Notley’s climate plan made in making the federal decision.
“Alberta’s climate plan was a vital contributor to national energy strategy,” he said.
“If I thought this project [Trans Mountain] was unsafe for the BC coast I would reject it. This is a decision based on rigorous debate on science and evidence and the decision will not be swayed by political arguments local regional or national.”
This is a developing story, more to come.