Kapuskasing Mayor and Federation of Northern Ontario Municipalities (FONOM) president Al Spacek reiterated his group’s support for the Energy East Pipeline Project.
“Transporting oil by pipeline has been shown to be significantly safer than other modes of transportation,” said Spacek in an Aug. 10 news release.
“So to me, we have a choice to make: between a safe pipeline, or more oil moving through Northern Ontario by rail. I will continue to advocate for the safest option possible, and that is why we joined with 110 municipalities across the North to support Energy East.”
With more than 200,000 barrels of oil being hauled by rail, Spacek said many of these trains are coursing through the middle of communities.
Rail transport of oil is expected to double between 2012 and 2024. Spacek said that means more than 305,000 rail cars moving through towns and cities.
“With recent derailments in Northern Ontario top of mind, it is important that we recognize that there is a safer method of transporting oil which we shouldn’t shy away from.”
In 2013, TransCanada Pipeline announced its plans to build the Energy East Pipeline Project, a 4,600-kilometre long pipeline that would transport one million barrels of oil per day from Alberta and Saskatchewan to refineries and terminals in Eastern Canada.
“While there is no doubt in my mind that Northern Ontario will see significant economic opportunities from this project,” Spacek said, “we also need to ensure the highest standard of protection for lands and our waterways across the north will be undertaken with Energy East.”
Spacek said FONOM will continue to support the pipeline project since they have proven they adhere to “the highest safety and environmental standards, which is vital to us.”
