A dire warning from a broken pipe: Globe and Mail

Globe and Mail

A dire warning from a broken pipe

The Rainbow spill is just the latest in a series of oil leaks in North America’s vast pipeline network over the past year, and comes as Canadian energy giants are pressing to win approval for some of their most ambitious projects to date. Those include TransCanada Corp.’s Keystone XL pipeline to ship oil sands crude to the Gulf of Mexico, and Enbridge Inc.’s Northern Gateway pipeline to take Alberta crude to the British Columbia coast for shipment to then to Asia, a plan that faces fierce opposition from first nations.

First Nations stand ground

Financial Post

First Nations stand ground

In case their unequivocal message hasn’t been received, British Columbia’s First Nations are in Calgary this week to make it clear to the board of directors of Enbridge Inc., Enbridge’s annual meeting of shareholders and members of the broader oil community that the proposed $5.5-billion Northern Gateway pipeline is not going forward. 

It will be a difficult message to accept. The pipeline between the oil sands in Alberta and Kitimat on the northern coast of B.C. is a big plank in the oil-and-gas industry’s strategy to develop a new market for its products in Asia, a major part of Enbridge’s growth strategy, a key piece of strategic infrastructure for all of Canada, and a major job creator for Western Canada.

Alberta leak reminder of dangers

Northern Sentinel

Alberta leak reminder of dangers

A pipeline breach in northern Alberta last week that resulted in approximately 4.5 million litres of oil being spilled should be a reminder of the dangers that could face the region with Enbridge’s proposed Northern Gateway Pipeline project, says Skeena – Bulkley Valley MP Nathan Cullen.

“This should be another nail in the coffin for any idea of a pipeline across BC, and unfortunately paints a pretty clear picture of what happens when you ship oil over land. And it should be noted that this spill happened in an area that is a lot less rugged than on the coast and the proposed route for Enbridge,” he added.

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