NEB green-lights Trans Mountain expansion
Posted February 22, 2019 10:08 am.
Last Updated February 22, 2019 12:48 pm.
This article is more than 5 years old.
CALGARY (660 NEWS) – It is a monumental moment for the Trans Mountain pipeline expansion project.
The National Energy Board (NEB) has announced in its reconsideration report, that the project should be approved.
Now, the federal cabinet will have 90 days to determine whether or not to give final approval to the expansion.
The report focused on the marine impact of the expansion with additional tankers expected to be shipping crude from the west coast.
It comes after a court decision last year that halted the project. The judge cited a lack of indigenous consultation and marine impact assessment as reasons to stall the project.
Environmental groups stated before the decision came down that they would continue to fight any approval from the NEB.
READ MORE: Regulator’s report unlikely to settle Trans Mountain debate
Sven Biggs, a climate campaigner for Stand.earth, says the federal regulator’s track record is to approve pipelines.
“I think the NEB has a long record of siding with industry over communities and other concerns … so we have every expectation that they’re going to recommend the project go ahead despite the serious problems with it.”
He said that won’t stop opponents from fighting this project.
“It’s likely there are going to be more lawsuits and more delays because of them, and if the cabinet decides to go ahead and restart construction, you’ll see protests in the streets and along the pipeline route.”
With files from the Canadian Press
