Canada—As TransCanada prepares to file a proposal to the National Energy Board for its Energy East pipeline, 350.org, the Council of Canadians, and Leadnow.ca have launched a campaign calling for climate change and community voices to be included in the National Energy Board’s review of the mega-project.
“In less than a week, almost 10,000 people have already sent messages to the National Energy Board demanding a fair review of this pipeline,” says Cameron Fenton, Canadian Tar Sands Organizer with 350.org. “The question now is whether the NEB and the government will listen to communities, or push for a rubber stamp on this project.”
The largest tar sands pipeline proposal yet, the Energy East pipeline would be over 4,400 km long and would carry over a million barrels of oil per day from the Alberta Tar Sands to the Atlantic coast for export.
“Energy East would cross hundreds of waterways, including drinking water sources, and communities in six provinces,” says Andrea Harden-Donahue, Energy and Climate Justice campaigner with the Council of Canadians. “A spill would be devastating, yet the Harper government has made participating in the review far more difficult and the NEB refuses to hear all of the concerns this pipeline presents.”
With projects like the Keystone XL and Northern Gateway stalled, the stage is set for a major fight over the Energy East project.
“Stephen Harper and big oil have gutted Canada’s environmental review process, cutting people’s voices and climate change out of the National Energy Board’s review of the largest tar sands pipeline ever proposed,” says Amara Possian, Campaign Manager at Leadnow.ca. “They know they can only build this pipeline if they ignore the facts and ignore the people, and that’s why we’re working together to stop it.”
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Media Contacts: Cam Fenton - cam@350.org - 604-369-2155
For more information on specific campaigns:
http://www.leadnow.ca/energy-east/
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