The Government of British Columbia Canada's province on the Pacific Coast has come out in opposition to the Enbridge proposal to build a pipeline from the Tar Sands in northern Alberta to Kitimat B.C.
B.C. government rejects Enbridge Northern Gateway pipeline citing environmental concerns
by TRAVIS LUPICK on MAY 31
In a written argument presented to the Northern Gateway Panel, a federal body tasked with conducting an environmental and regulatory review, the province states that “it cannot support the project as presented to the panel because Northern Gateway has been unable to address British Columbians' environmental concerns.”
“British Columbia thoroughly reviewed all of the evidence and submissions made to the panel and asked substantive questions about the project including its route, spill response capacity and financial structure to handle any incidents,” B.C. Environment Minister Terry Lake is quoted as saying in a May 31 media release. “Our questions were not satisfactorily answered during these hearings.”
He continues: “British Columbia thoroughly reviewed all of the evidence and submissions made to the panel and asked substantive questions about the project including its route, spill response capacity and financial structure to handle any incidents. Our questions were not satisfactorily answered during these hearings.”
The province’s strongly worded rejection of the Enbridge proposal could make it difficult for the Northern Gateway Panel (also known as the Joint Review Panel) to give its approval for the project. Final arguments are scheduled for June 17.
I happened to be listening to a Canadian radio station when the news broke. They had a few man on the street reactions to the news and it was generally favorable to the government's formal opposition to the project. B.C. after all is Canada's Left Coast.