The day after Montreal-area mayors slammed Energy East as a “bad project,” Ontario Premier Kathleen Wynne confirmed her support for TransCanada’s proposed pipeline – drawing the ire of environmentalists.
Following a meeting with Alberta Premier Rachel Notley on Friday, January 22, Wynne explained that her support for North America’s largest proposed pipeline had been cemented by Alberta’s new climate plan. She said the plan, particularly its pledge to cap emissions, “makes the national conversation about climate targets and pipelines easier.
“We appreciate that there is a need for a way to get Canadian oil allowed under Alberta’s new emission cap to overseas markets. And the people of Ontario care a great deal about the national economy and the potential jobs this proposed pipeline project could create in our province and across the country,” she added.
Clearly, the preem has a different take on the matter than the Ontario Energy Board, which in August made it clear that the risks of pumping 1.1 million barrels of oil per day through Ontario isn’t worth the expected economic benefits. The Council of Canadians‘ Mark Calzavara says, “Wynne is sweeping legitimate concerns about TransCanada’s performance and plans under the rug.”
The Council points out that eight ruptures have been reported in TransCanada pipelines over the last six years. Adds the Council’s Andrea Harden-Donahue, “Premier Notley’s proposed cap won’t constrain the amount of carbon pollution the Energy East pipeline could enable.”
Ottawa, under fire from environmentalists, now promises that a climate impact test will be added to the pipeline review and approval process for Energy East and others.
Still, Greenpeace‘s Mike Hudema maintains that tar sands pipelines and climate leadership don’t mix. He says any reasonable climate test needs to be in line with Canada’s global climate commitment to help stabilize the temperature rise below 1.5°C – “a limit that means survival for millions all over the planet.” Tar sands pipelines don’t pass the test.
“The Energy East pipeline alone would allow an extra 32 million tonnes of carbon to be released into the atmosphere every year that isn’t in line with climate science or Canada’s commitment. To put it simply, climate leadership means keeping carbon in the ground.”
ecoholic@nowtoronto.com | @ecoholicnation
