Enbridge's Northern Gateway pipeline was approved by canada's conservative government yesterday.
Years of social disruptions by environmentalists and First Nations, lengthy court battles and a possible stand-off between Ottawa and British Columbia lie ahead after Prime Minister Stephen Harper’s approval of the fiercely contested Northern Gateway pipeline.
The long-awaited decision, which is in keeping with the Conservatives’ plan to expand Canada’s role as a global energy exporter, has lit the fuse on an unprecedented political clash between opponents of Northern Gateway and its backers.
Northern Gateway will carry 525 000 bpd of crude oil from near Edmonton, Alberta, to a marine terminal at Kitimat, British Columbia, where the oil will be loaded onto tankers bound for Asia.
"We're pleased with the decision. We think it's an important milestone for Gateway and Canada, but we still have some work to do ahead of us," Enbridge Chief Executive Al Monaco said after the decision was announced.
Edited from various sources by Elizabeth Corner