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    Canada - Transport Canada OK's Northern Gateway supertankers

    http://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/britis...-enbridge.html
    Fishing advocates say human error a real threat

    Transport Canada has "no regulatory concerns" with Enbridge's proposed marine operations for the Northern Gateway pipeline, clearing the way for supertankers to carry Canadian crude across the Pacific.

    In a statement issued Thursday, Transport Canada said it has finished its review of the proposed tanker traffic that would sail through waters off B.C.'s North Coast, taking crude from the Alberta oilsands to overseas markets in China.

    "While there will always be residual risk in any project, after reviewing the proponent's studies and taking into account the proponent's commitments, no regulatory concerns have been identified for the vessels, vessel operations, the proposed routes, navigability, other waterway users and the marine terminal operations associated with vessels supporting the Northern Gateway Project," said Transport Canada.

    The $6.6-billion project would see an additional 250 oil tankers arriving at Kitimat each year, which means Transport Canada would have to step up its monitoring, the report said.

    Northern Gateway has attracted fierce opposition from First Nations, environmental and other groups who fear an oil spill from the pipeline itself or from tankers sailing through narrow coastal channels could cause grave ecological harm.

    "The proposed shipping routes are appropriate for the oil tankers that will be used at the proposed terminal," said the report, adding "there are no charted obstructions that would pose a safety hazard to fully loaded oil tankers."

    Fishing advocates worry about human error

    The marine operations review was signed off on by Transport Canada, Environment Canada, Fisheries and Oceans Canada, the Canadian Coast Guard and Pacific Pilotage Authority Canada.

    It does point out there are some narrow areas where extra caution is needed for two-way traffic. It also said there may be an increased threat to marine mammals, such as whales, along the shipping route, and encourages Enbridge to take steps to minimize harm.

    But Prince Rupert fishing advocates say the potential for human error is too great, and because of that, locals will continue to oppose the project.

    "It exists, it will happen. That's a reality and each and every time that is the deciding factor," said Des Nobels with the T. Buck Suzuki Environmental Foundation.

    "So, as safe as any shipping lane is, it's only as safe as any individual driving down it. The whole question of a spill is not a question of if, it's a question of when," said Nobels.

    But Enbridge says the Transport Canada endorsement shows the company has done due diligence when it comes to safety for all shipping on B.C.'s North Coast.

    "It is important for the public, particularly B.C. residents, to know that we've done our homework and that our marine plan has been thoroughly reviewed," said Janet Holder, Enbridge's senior executive with responsibility for the Northern Gateway Project.

    "I think the TERMPOL report underlines that what we are proposing is well planned and safe, and indeed would enhance safety for all shipping on B.C.'s North Coast," said Holder.

    Kitimat port safest option, says Enbridge CEO

    The Northern Gateway Project consists of twin pipelines — one that would carry 525,000 barrels per day of oilsands crude westward for export, and one that would bring 193,000 barrels per day of imported condensates inland for use in the oilsands.

    The company has been asked repeatedly why it didn't instead opt to end the pipeline at Prince Rupert, which has a shorter route to open ocean than does Kitimat.

    On Enbridge's most recent quarterly conference call, CEO Pat Daniel said the company would look at other options, but that it's convinced its route to Kitimat is the safest one.

    A federal government joint review panel examining the Northern Gateway Project has been making stops across Alberta and B.C. since January, and will be in Old Masset in the Queen Charlotte Islands beginning Feb. 28.

    The joint review panel will consider Transport Canada's study of the supertanker marine route when making its recommendation on the proposed pipeline.

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    Video of the pipeline route


    Video of the supertanker route @ 10:45 and @ 31:05

  3. #3
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    Northern Gateway was approved by the government of Canada today, despite the majority of communities in BC opposing the project.

    http://www.cbc.ca/news/politics/nort...ions-1.2678285

    NDP Leader Tom Mulcair called it "folly" and "pure madness" to think anyone can put supertankers in British Columbia's Douglas Channel, and he said Enbridge has more commitments to fulfil.

    "One would have thought to put a bit of a fig leaf on it, they could have come up with 210 [conditions]," Mulcair said.

    Mulcair said an NDP government would reverse the decision to accept the recommendations of the National Energy Board.

    "None of this is going to be built before the 2015 election, and we will set this decision aside," he said.

    He also warned of protests against the pipeline.

    "We're talking about a severe threat to social order, social peace, not only in British Columbia, but in Canada, if Mr. Harper continues to ignore science, continues to ignore First Nations," Mulcair said.
    Conservative MPs 'hiding'

    Mulcair said Conservative MPs from British Columbia are "hiding under their desks right now" because the pipeline is already an election issue in the province.

    The federal approval is one more step in a long line of permits necessary for Enbridge to get access to the Pacific coast to ship crude to Asia.

    The federal regulatory process began in May 2010 when Enbridge submitted its application to the National Energy Board.

    Earlier Tuesday, the NDP and Liberals seized on the drawbacks to approving the pipeline, devoting much of question period to the Northern Gateway project.

    Mulcair listed the opponents of the pipeline.

    "Municipalities? Kitimat. Terrace. Prince Rupert. Smithers. They all say no," he said.

    "Over 130 First Nations across B.C.? They all say no. Three-hundred scientists? They all say no. The prime minister endorsed this pipeline publicly three years ago. No matter what evidence, how many people speak out, how many people stand up against him, he keeps pushing this project."
    'Public and scientific process'

    Prime Minister Stephen Harper said Mulcair was trying to distract from what he called the NDP's opposition to resource development.
    "The process we have in our government, in terms of environmental evaluations, we establish independent expert panels that follow a public and scientific process. When we've received the report from that process, we will make a decision obviously based on the facts in the not too distant future," Harper said.

    Liberal Leader Justin Trudeau said a tanker spill "would be catastrophic for B.C.'s pristine north coast and its economy."

    "A large spill would cost $10 billion to clean up and would wipe out over 4,000 full-time B.C. jobs. Will the prime minister do the right thing and say no to the Northern Gateway pipeline?" Trudeau said.

    Harper referred again to the process set up to evaluate the pipeline's risks and benefits.

    "We know very well the leader of the Liberal Party and his party's deep hostility to Canada's energy sector," Harper said.

    B.C. Premier Christy Clark has the power to grant or deny dozens of other permits for its construction. Her government has set out five conditions she expects to be met before allowing the Northern Gateway pipeline to be built across British Columbia.

  4. #4
    I'll change yer fuckin rate you derivative piece of shit
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    They're loading maple syrup on supertankers now?

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    Close. It's actually thicker than maple syrup though.

  6. #6

    Quote Originally Posted by Mazmaz View Post
    Close. It's actually thicker than maple syrup though.
    Donut flavored maple syrup?

  7. #7
    I'll change yer fuckin rate you derivative piece of shit
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    Whoa, exporting straight crude maple sap?

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