The National Energy Board’s (NEB) hearings into the proposed Energy East pipeline are encouraging for the leadership of the Federation of Northern Ontario Municipalities (FONOM).
TransCanada’s proposed 4,500-kilometre pipeline is entering a 21-month review process before it heads to the federal government for a final decision.
“We are confident that TransCanada will adhere to the highest safety standards,” said Mayor Alan Spacek of Kapuskasing and president of FONOM. “The proposed pipeline would be rigorously regulated and evaluated by both provincial and federal bodies and would reduce the amount of oil being transported through our communities by rail and truck significantly.”
In extending its support, FONOM said in a June 17 news release that TransCanada has kept municipalities, First Nation communities, first responders, and individual Canadians informed about the entire process and have addressed any project-related concerns.
FONOM said the socioeconomic impacts will be felt along the proposed route with the Conference Board of Canada forecasting that Ontario will see the lion’s share of the benefits with 3,900 jobs created during its development and construction of the pipeline, and more than 1,500 jobs once in operation.
The pipeline would transport 1.1 million barrels of crude oil per day from Alberta and Saskatchewan to refineries in Eastern Canada and a marine terminal in New Brunswick.
“We know that the Energy East will be subjected to an extensive evaluation by the NEB. They have committed to engaging with Canadians along the route and we look forward to being part of that discussion,” said Spacek.
