News of the National Energy Board’s (NEB) approval of the Trans Mountain pipeline expansion (TMX) greeted Mayor Don Scott and the Mayor’s office.
Mayor Scott said “it’s a really good day” for the region and the country as a whole.
‘It’s very positive for the people of Wood Buffalo, a positive for the people of Alberta, and it’s a great move for all of Canada. It’s another step forward.”
The NEB report says that “considerable benefits” to TMX outweigh its environmental effects such as tanker traffic that would hurt marine life and increased greenhouse gas emissions.
Mayor Scott agrees, saying Ottawa should give the go-ahead on construction before the next federal election.
“Not having a pipeline I think creates a greater risk. Pipelines really reduce the risk, in my view, as opposed to the alternatives. Getting a pipeline in the ground, getting it to tidewater is going to be good for everyone.”
The federal government has 90 days to decide if TMX should proceed.
