VANCOUVER, BRITISH COLUMBIA -- (Marketwired) -- 12/19/13 -- Northern Gateway Pipelines, L.P. announced today that the Joint Review Panel (the Panel) recommended that the federal government approve the project, subject to 209 required conditions. The Panel stated: "Based on a scientific and precautionary approach to this complex review, the Panel found that the project, if built and operated in compliance with the conditions set out in its report, would be in the public interest."
The Panel found: "After weighing all the oral and written evidence that Canada and Canadians would be better off with the Enbridge Northern Gateway Project than without it."
The Northern Gateway Project team is reviewing the recommendations and conditions outlined in the Panel's report.
The Government of Canada is expected to render its final decision on the Northern Gateway Project by July 2014.
The Panel's recommendation comes after more than 18 months of hearings held in communities along the route of the proposed pipeline project. The Northern Gateway Project team filed its formal application with the Panel in May 2010. The team has been engaging in outreach with Aboriginal groups and stakeholders for more than 10 years.
"From the beginning of this project, Northern Gateway has worked with one goal in mind: to access new markets by building a safer, better pipeline," said Janet Holder, leader of the Northern Gateway Project. "The Joint Review Panel conducted the most comprehensive and science-based pipeline review in Canadian history and their report reflects the input of thousands of Canadians. Their report is an important step towards that goal."
Holder said the Northern Gateway Project team will work to meet the Joint Review Panel's conditions. The team will also work towards meeting British Columbia Premier Christy Clark's five conditions for heavy oil pipeline development, of which the Panel's recommendation is one.
"Northern Gateway will be designed to protect B.C.'s unique natural environment with world-class spill prevention, response and recovery. And it will be a partnership with Aboriginal groups and communities. Already, the Northern Gateway Project has signed 26 equity partnership agreements," said Holder. "Together with world-leading engineers and scientists, the team at Northern Gateway is engaged in an expert review process. We will closely analyze the panel's conditions - many of which reflect commitments we put forward at the hearings - and continue to listen and be open to change. We look forward to sharing our progress with British Columbians, openly and transparently."
The Northern Gateway Project has received commercial support for the project. In August 2011, the Northern Gateway Project filed Precedent Agreements with the NEB which provide for long-term service and capacity on both the proposed crude oil export and condensate import pipelines. Capacity has also been reserved for use by uncommitted shippers. Potential shippers have also provided funding support for the regulatory phase of the project.
About Northern Gateway....
The Northern Gateway Project is a proposed 1,177-km twin pipeline system and marine terminal. The proposed project would transport 525,000 barrels per day (bpd) of oil for export and import 193,000 bpd of condensate. Project lead Enbridge Inc. (TSX: ENB) (NYSE: ENB) is working in partnership with leading Canadian and international energy companies, First Nations and Metis communities in B.C. and Alberta. For more information, please visit www.gatewayfacts.ca.
Forward-Looking Information
Certain information provided in this news release may constitute forward-looking statements. Although these statements are believed to be based on information and assumptions which are current, reasonable and complete, they are necessarily subject to a variety of risks and uncertainties. Actual results may therefore vary from those expected.
Northern Gateway Project Backgrounder
The pipeline's route:
A twin pipeline will run 1,177 km from Bruderheim in northern Alberta, through northern British Columbia, to the deep-water port of Kitimat British Columbia at the head of the Douglas Channel.
The pipeline's capacity:
The westbound 36" diameter pipeline will carry up to 525,000 barrels of oil per day. The eastbound 20" diameter pipeline will carry 193,000 barrels of condensate per day, which is a product used to thin oil for pipeline transport.
The transfer from land to marine operations:
The Kitimat Marine Terminal will include two ship berths and 19 tanks for oil and condensate. While docked at the Terminal, tankers loading export oil will be surrounded by a containment boom. The forecast is for the terminal to serve around 220 ship calls per year.
Care taken along the land route:
70% of the pipeline route will utilize previously disturbed land. The pipeline will be dug deeper under watercourses for added protection. Ten pump stations will be powered by electric pumps to limit noise and greenhouse gas emissions.
Economic benefits:
The Northern Gateway Project will bring significant, lasting benefits to the Canadian economy including:
-- Over $300 billion in GDP over 30 years
-- $300 million in employment and contracts for Aboriginal communities and
businesses;
-- $4.3 billion of labour-related income across Canada during construction;
-- $2.6 billion in local, provincial and federal government tax revenues
($1.2 billion in BC);
-- 1,150 long-term jobs throughout the Canadian economy (560 in BC)
Invaluable input from experts:
A team of over 200 experts and scientists conducted a comprehensive environmental assessment of the project route. Their findings have been incorporated into our planning.
Contacts:
Northern Gateway Pipelines
Media line: 1-888-992-0997
media@enbridge.com
