National Energy Board hearings begin today into the proposed $5.5-billion Northern Gateway oil sands pipeline from Bruderheim to Kitimat, B.C.
Supporters see the project as vital to exporting oil sands crude to Asian markets, while environmental groups are strongly opposed.
Christina Doll, who lives in Prince George, says there’s a wide range of opinion on the west coast.
“There have been meetings held quite often, people joining together to discuss the possible environmental impact of the pipeline,” she told Calgary’s 660 News. “There has been quite a bit of outcry.”
Smithers, B.C.-based reporter Marisca Dekkema says it’s a hot-button topic.
“Seems like a lot of people here are very passionate against it, and then there are a lot of people who are really for it,” she said. “There’s not a lot of people who are really sitting on the fence about the whole situation.”
18 months have been set aside by the NEB to hear more than four thousand individuals and groups who’ve signed up to speak.
