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Energy East Project Enters Next Phase

The Federation of Northern Ontario Municipalities (FONOM) is pleased that TransCanada Corporation has submitted the Energy East project application to the National Energy Board (NEB).

The Federation of Northern Ontario Municipalities (FONOM) is pleased that TransCanada Corporation has submitted the Energy East project application to the National Energy Board (NEB).

This major milestone in the development of the Energy East Pipeline demonstrates a significant step in the regulatory approval process.

TransCanada has engaged in considerable consultation with stakeholders and has demonstrated that the highest standard of protection for lands and waterways across the north will be undertaken.

Through a balanced approached, recognizing the benefits as well as the risks associated with this project, FONOM has participated within the consultation process in a number of formats including community sessions, stakeholder meetings and written submissions.

“Our membership, which consists of 110 municipalities across the northeast passed a resolution in support of Energy East at our Annual General Meeting,” says Al Spacek, Mayor of Kapuskasing and President of FONOM. 

“Transporting oil by pipeline has shown to be significantly safer than other modes of transportation.”

To ensure northern voices continue to be heard, FONOM will be seeking intervenor status in the National Energy Board’s hearings on TransCanada’s Energy East pipeline later this year.

Locally the Energy East pipeline issue that some residents are concerned about is TransCanada’s intention of converting a natural gas pipeline into one that would move crude oil and /or diluted bitumen from the Alberta tar sands to facilities in Eastern Canada.  That line runs directly underneath Trout Lake.  

“We are saying the pipeline proposal will increase greenhouse gas emissions by increasing the production of oil in the tar sands,” said Eiizabeth Frazer, who organized a Climate Change Protest in North Bay back in late September.