The PIPE-UP Network, a group of activists and other concerned residents, has expressed worries about the environmental impacts of the project.
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“We will advocate vigorously in the months ahead to the prime minister and his cabinet to make sure that they turn down the Kinder Morgan proposal, in the best interest of Canada”, Robertson said.
TransCanada’s Energy East is a 4,500-kilometre pipeline proposed to carry 1.1 million barrels of oil a day from Alberta and Saskatchewan through Quebec and into New Brunswick for overseas shipping. The Westridge Marine Terminal beside Burrard Inlet off Burnaby would also be expanded.
It’s not just First Nations in the area who are opposed to the TransMountain project. From the ramifications of increased tanker traffic to the devastating effect of a possible oil spill, some groups plan to take legal action to halt the project.
One of those conditions will require the company, Kinder Morgan Inc.
But the report noted that even with conditions, some impacts remain.
If B.C.’s own carbon pricing is used, it could amount to $30 million, since B.C.’s carbon tax prices carbon at $30 per tonne.
The report also concedes there will be significant increased greenhouse gas emissions from tanker traffic, which can’t be offset. It also found that with mitigation measures and its conditions, the project “would not likely cause significant adverse environmental effects”.
Climate Change Canada’s assessmenet of upstream greenhouse gas emissions of the project are due by May 20.
The Sierra Club BC similarly said it was to be expected from an “industry-captured regulator”.
“We can be proud of Canada’s world-class safety and regulatory standards that allow for safe transport of our resources and maximizes benefits for all Canadians”, said McMillan. “A modern, carefully regulated, carefully monitored pipeline is the safest and most economical way to move energy products to market”.
Steven Paget, an analyst with Calgary investment firm FirstEnergy Capital, said increased takeaway capacity is essential as long-planned oilsands projects continue to build production capacity in Alberta over the next few years.
“This decision is a milestone for the future of Canada”, said CAPP President and CEO Tim McMillan.
This is a pipeline company that has refused to answer key questions from municipalities, from provincial governments and other concerned Canadians. He said the panel can not override the energy board’s decision but will consult, particularly with indigenous people.
Candice Bergen, the federal Conservative critic for natural resources, said in a statement the report was “fantastic news” for thousands of jobless workers in the oil patch.
The National Energy Board is recommending the approval of the Trans Mountain Expansion Project, subject to 157 conditions.
The Board completed a comprehensive environmental assessment of the Project in accordance with its authority under the National Energy Board Act (NEB Act) and the Canadian Environmental Assessment Act, 2012 (CEAA 2012).
The mayor also points out that approving the pipeline expansion would go against the historic Paris Climate Agreement recently signed by the Canadian government.
The 157 conditions encompass emergency preparedness, environmental protection, socio-economic matters, safety and integrity of the pipeline, commercial support for the project before construction and financial responsibility.
An existing pipeline, the TransMountain Pipeline, has operated for more than half-a-century between Edmonton, Alberta, and Burnaby.
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Several Washington state tribal leaders traveled to Canada to testify against the project, telling regulators that the increased oil tanker traffic in the Salish Sea could boost the risk of oil spills and have devastating consequences for tribes’ way of life, culture and the environment, as well as their us treaty right to fish.
