Enbridge Inc. is proposing to make up to $500-million
worth of changes to the design of the Northern Gateway pipeline system
to address safety concerns raised by aboriginal groups and others.
The pipeline, which already had a $5.5-billion price tag before Friday's announcement, has been the focus of intense debate among communities, environmental groups and politicians.
Enbridge made its announcement on the same day the Alberta government - a staunch supporter of Northern Gateway - announced an independent review of pipeline safety in the province.
Critics of Northern Gateway, a paired system of pipelines between the oilsands in northern Alberta and a terminal near Kitimat, B.C., have said they're worried about the potential environmental risks it poses within the B.C. Interior and in coastal waters.
The Calgary-based company said Friday it had listened to the feedback from public hearings and was prepared to address concerns with a combination of improved technology and monitoring.
"We recognize that there are concerns among aboriginal groups and the public around pipeline safety and integrity," said Janet Holder, an Enbridge executive vice-president.
"With these enhanced measures, we will make what is already a very safe project even safer in order to provide further comfort to people who are concerned about the safety of sensitive habitats in remote areas."
Among other things, Enbridge says its new design would increase the thickness of pipe walls at river crossings. Enbridge says it would also increase the number of inspections it does by at least 50 per cent and staff pumping stations in remote locations around the clock.
"After years of consultation with stakeholders and after personally attending many regulatory hearings for Northern Gateway, it has become clear - we have to do everything we can to ensure confidence in the project," Holder said.
In Calgary, Alberta Energy Minister Ken Hughes announced that the province would tap an independent third party to work with the Energy Resources Conservation Board in reviewing pipeline integrity, the safety of pipe that crosses waterways and the handling of incidents.
"The spotlight is on pipelines and I have challenged the industry they need to perform," Hughes told a news conference.
"The scrutiny is at a level we have never seen before. I welcome that scrutiny and I believe our pipeline companies do so as well."
There have been three pipeline leaks in Alberta this year, including the leak of up to 475,000 litres of oil into the Red Deer River, a major drinking water source in central Alberta.
The company that owns that pipeline, Plains Midstream Canada, was responsible for a bigger spill in northern Alberta more than a year ago.
Greenpeace said Friday at least part of the site remains heavily contaminated despite company suggestions that the cleanup is complete.
The environmental organization released pictures of a pond near the Rainbow leak near the community of Little Buffalo in the spring of 2011, the second-largest spill in the province's history.
The pictures appear to show large globs of oil fouling vegetation and an oily sheen on the water.
Hughes met three industry groups before announcing the review. Environmental groups and others outside of industry did not take part. The scope of the review has not yet been determined.
The pipeline, which already had a $5.5-billion price tag before Friday's announcement, has been the focus of intense debate among communities, environmental groups and politicians.
Enbridge made its announcement on the same day the Alberta government - a staunch supporter of Northern Gateway - announced an independent review of pipeline safety in the province.
Critics of Northern Gateway, a paired system of pipelines between the oilsands in northern Alberta and a terminal near Kitimat, B.C., have said they're worried about the potential environmental risks it poses within the B.C. Interior and in coastal waters.
The Calgary-based company said Friday it had listened to the feedback from public hearings and was prepared to address concerns with a combination of improved technology and monitoring.
"We recognize that there are concerns among aboriginal groups and the public around pipeline safety and integrity," said Janet Holder, an Enbridge executive vice-president.
"With these enhanced measures, we will make what is already a very safe project even safer in order to provide further comfort to people who are concerned about the safety of sensitive habitats in remote areas."
Among other things, Enbridge says its new design would increase the thickness of pipe walls at river crossings. Enbridge says it would also increase the number of inspections it does by at least 50 per cent and staff pumping stations in remote locations around the clock.
"After years of consultation with stakeholders and after personally attending many regulatory hearings for Northern Gateway, it has become clear - we have to do everything we can to ensure confidence in the project," Holder said.
In Calgary, Alberta Energy Minister Ken Hughes announced that the province would tap an independent third party to work with the Energy Resources Conservation Board in reviewing pipeline integrity, the safety of pipe that crosses waterways and the handling of incidents.
"The spotlight is on pipelines and I have challenged the industry they need to perform," Hughes told a news conference.
"The scrutiny is at a level we have never seen before. I welcome that scrutiny and I believe our pipeline companies do so as well."
There have been three pipeline leaks in Alberta this year, including the leak of up to 475,000 litres of oil into the Red Deer River, a major drinking water source in central Alberta.
The company that owns that pipeline, Plains Midstream Canada, was responsible for a bigger spill in northern Alberta more than a year ago.
Greenpeace said Friday at least part of the site remains heavily contaminated despite company suggestions that the cleanup is complete.
The environmental organization released pictures of a pond near the Rainbow leak near the community of Little Buffalo in the spring of 2011, the second-largest spill in the province's history.
The pictures appear to show large globs of oil fouling vegetation and an oily sheen on the water.
Hughes met three industry groups before announcing the review. Environmental groups and others outside of industry did not take part. The scope of the review has not yet been determined.
© Copyright (c) The Victoria Times Colonist
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