Enbridge pipeline decision delayed a year? Whhaaat?

You heard correctly. As reported by the Vancouver Sun, a final decision on whether to approve or reject Enbridge’s controversial Northern Gateway Pipeline project has been delayed until late 2013 – almost a year later than anticipated.

Why you ask? Because of the unprecedented number of individuals who have signed up to have their voices heard during public hearings for the project.


The original time schedule saw public hearings lasting only a couple of months. Due to widespread public concern regarding Enbridge’s risky project, people came out in numbers to sign up to voice their concerns, and numbers speak.

Instead of getting the speedy process Enbridge was hoping for, the review panel assessing the project will now spend most of 2012 hearing oral testimonies from citizens across British Columbia who do not want to see this project go ahead. Over 4000 individuals have signed up to give oral statements to the review panel, and over 200 additional individuals, organizations and First Nations have signed up to formally participate in the entire review process.

Thank you to the people of British Columbia who are standing up for our coast. Living Oceans is right there with you.

If you did not sign up to speak, please consider sending a written comment to the review panel instead. The more comments the better.

Katie Terhune is the Living Oceans Society's Energy Campaign Manager. To find out more about the proposed Northern Gateway Pipeline project and the risk of oil spills on the B.C. coast, please visit the Tankers section of our website.