minister says scathing U.S. report won't change mind on Nort

[styky]

Federal minister says scathing U.S. report won't change mind on Northern Gateway

By: The Canadian Press
VANCOUVER - The federal environment minister says a scathing report out of the United States about Enbridge's (TSX:ENB) response to a pipeline spill in Michigan won't change his government's position on the Northern Gateway project.

A report by U.S. investigators released last week criticized Enbridge for a spill along Michigan's Kalamazoo River, comparing the company's response to the "Keystone Kops" and identifying a long list of failings.

Critics of Enbridge's proposed Northern Gateway pipeline between Alberta and the B.C. coast have used the report to urge governments to reject the project, but federal Environment Minister Peter Kent says he hasn't changed his mind.

Kent says he hasn't read the U.S. report in full, but he notes the Michigan spill involved an older pipeline that used different technology than would be found on new projects.

He says such spills underscore the need for better practices in the industry, but also argues pipelines are the safest way to transport oil and he doesn't expect the report to sway his opinion.

B.C. Premier Christy Clark has said the report means Enbridge will have to answer some serious questions before winning her government's support, though she has yet to say whether the province will support the project.

http://www.winnipegfreepress.com/canada ... 46846.html

[Julian]

there's nothing wrong with holding Enbridge to a very high standard of safety and maintenance. Nobody, nobody wants environmental disasters because a company puts profits ahead of everything else. It is possible and it must be demanded that they build and maintain the pipeline so that breakage and spills cannot and will not occur.

[dave]

there's nothing wrong with holding Enbridge to a very high standard of safety and maintenance. Nobody, nobody wants environmental disasters because a company puts profits ahead of everything else. It is possible and it must be demanded that they build and maintain the pipeline so that breakage and spills cannot and will not occur.

As a BC resident l would like to believe an environmental disaster can be absolutely avoided, but it can't. Right now we have folks grieving the loss of loved ones who perished in a mud slide at Johnson Landing. Bodies recovered at 8-9 meters, l doubt any pipe line would survive that kind of force. Slides and other natural disasters can and do happen on a regular bases in this province. As far as a company placing environment concerns ahead of profits.... very rarely, they do what is mandated of them and no more.