THUNDER BAY – The Northwestern Ontario Municipal Association (NOMA) is pleased to learn that the National Energy Board (NEB) has deemed the application from TransCanada Pipelines for the Energy East Project complete and will now move forward to regulatory hearings.
The Energy East Project will use existing pipeline infrastructure to move Canadian oil to eastern Canada as well as international markets.
“The vast majority of the population of the Northwest are exposed on a daily basis to the hundreds of rail cars carrying some form of fossil fuel beside their homes and businesses,” said Mayor David Canfield, NOMA President.
“These cars travel within 100 feet of residential and institutional neighbourhoods. As we all have seen, rail accidents involving a cargo of fossil fuel can have devastating results – with significant loss of life. We must be as concerned with the health and safety of our residents as we are of the natural environment. As municipal leaders it is our responsibility to do what we can to minimize the dangers to our residents and the people who visit and/or work in our communities,” added Canfield.
TransCanada has demonstrated its commitment to keep communities, stakeholders and organizations engaged with the project. NOMA expects that they will continue to address questions and concerns throughout the NEB process. NOMA has every confidence that TransCanada will continue to work closely with indigenous communities, municipalities, first responders and stakeholders along the proposed pipeline route, as they have done for the past three years.
The Energy East Project will be subject to extensive evaluation by the NEB. The process includes examining 16 different areas such as economic impact, as well as environmental and socio-economic impacts. In addition, pipeline safety will be paramount in the process.
“NOMA supports the long-term benefits of the Energy East Project recognizing it is subject to extensive evaluation by the NEB. Both the employment opportunities and economic spin-offs will benefit our region. That being said, we look forward to participating in the NEB process as a formal intervenor so we can be sure that the environment is also protected,” said Canfield.
