Response to review panel recommendation on Northern Gateway

VANCOUVER — Josha MacNab, B.C. director at the Pembina Institute, made the following statement in response to the joint review panel’s recommendation for approval with conditions of the proposed Enbridge Northern Gateway pipeline:

“The joint review panel’s decision to recommend a conditional approval of the Northern Gateway pipeline proposal is disappointing, and is out of step with the concerns of many Canadians and the risks associated with this project.

“Without a credible plan to address greenhouse gas pollution and to ensure the oilsands are being developed in an environmentally responsible manner, building the infrastructure that enables rapid oilsands expansion cannot be in the public interest.

“Canadians raised significant concerns about this project — from the risks of spills to the impacts of the oilsands’ growing greenhouse gas pollution. Many First Nations along the route oppose the project, and the provincial government also concluded that Northern Gateway has been unable to address British Columbians’ environmental concerns.

“The panel chose to exclude the environmental impacts of oilsands development, concluding there is not a ‘sufficiently direct connection’ between the project and oilsands expansion. However, our analysis shows the greenhouse gas pollution generated by filling the Northern Gateway pipeline would be equivalent to adding over three million cars a year to Canada’s roads.

“Now that the joint review panel has wrapped up its work, the ball is in the federal government’s court. We hope that Stephen Harper’s cabinet will consider the significant climate impacts of oilsands development, as well as the local environmental risks, in making its final decision about this project.”

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