It’s back to the drawing board for the Energy East pipeline.
The National Energy Board (NEB) announced on Friday that it has voided all decisions that it had hitherto made about TransCanada Pipelines’ bid to build a pipeline to carry crude from Western Canada and northern American states to Atlantic Canada. The main line would bypass Montreal along the North Shore. However, a small tributary would branch off at Mascouche cross the eastern tip of Île Jésus on its way to feed the Suncor refinery in East End Montreal.
Until now, the federal energy regulator had until March 16, 2016, to recommend to the Governor-in-Council whether or not to proceed with the project. Laval environment director Gilles Benoît had been due to voice the city’s objections during NEB hearings in August, however NEB suspended its ten-city tour after protesters disrupted the first day hearings in Montreal, Aug. 29.
“By voiding the decision on the completeness of the application, the clock has stopped for good,” NEB spokesman Marc Drolet told The Suburban. “Everyone who had applied in the past to participate—even those who had not been invited to the hearing—will be looked at again by the new panel.”
Robert Frank – Suburban Newspaper – February 1, 2017.
IMAGE: NEB.MARCH16.12
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