The federal government has announced its conditional approval of the Enbridge Northern Gateway Project. The $7.9-billion project is a proposed 1,177-km twin pipeline system and marine terminal in Kitimat. It would transport 525,000 barrels per day of oil for export and import 193,000 barrels per day of condensate. Deliveries could start by late 2018. Enbridge will now focus on three priorities: meeting the federal government’s 209 conditions; working with the Province of B.C. on its five conditions for supporting oil pipelines; and continuing to engage Aboriginal communities.
The marine spill response plan for the project was developed in conjunction with WCMRC. Northern Gateway proposed a response capacity more than three times that of regulatory requirements and provided risk analysis. WCMRC built a response plan to meet those requirements, including equipment and personnel, as well as the location of new response bases along the north coast. WCMRC will work with Northern Gateway in the implementation of the response plan, which meets the province’s world-class requirements and far exceeds existing standards.