Donaldson set to present to Joint Review Panel on Enbridge’s proposed Northern Gateway project
Jan. 5 2012 (SMITHERS, B.C.) – The Joint Review Panel for the proposed Enbridge Northern Gateway Project will begin its hearings this month and Stikine MLA Doug Donaldson is scheduled early in the process. Donaldson is registered as an intervenor and will be presenting to the panel on January 16, 2012, in Smithers.
“I look forward to presenting in front of the Joint Review Panel,” said Donaldson. “I’ve monitored Enbridge’s pipeline proposal since before 2005 when I was a municipal councilor with the Village of Hazelton, and now as the MLA for Stikine. I’ve considered the project carefully and have not been swayed from my belief that the risks outweigh the benefits to the people of Stikine and of the Northwest.”
The Enbridge proposal includes two parallel 1,150-kilometre pipelines from the tar sands in northern Alberta to Kitimat. One pipeline would carry between 400,000 to 1,000,000 barrels a day of crude oil from the tar sands to the BC coast, while the second pipeline would carry 150,000 barrels a day of condensate, a chemical and petroleum mixture used to dilute tar sands crude oil extracted so that it can travel by pipeline. Tankers would be necessary to transport the pipeline’s contents of oil and condensate to and from the United States, China, India and other markets.
“There is no doubt industrial development activity on the landbase in the Northwest is part of what supports local residents, the province and Canada economically,” said the Stikine MLA. “There are examples of responsible industrial development and community economic development we need to expand and pursue that don’t put at great risk our economic, cultural, social and environmental future.”
Based on the information provided during the review process, the three-person panel will issue an environmental assessment report which will contain conclusions, recommendations and rationale. Once the federal government has responded to the report, the Panel will make a final decision on whether or not to approve the project under the National Energy Board Act.
Contact: Doug Donaldson, (250) 505-7785