The Northern Gateway pipeline would deliver 525,000 barrels of Alberta oil to a tanker terminal in Kitimat, on the Pacific coast of British Columbia. The proposed pipeline route goes thru First Nations lands. THe First Nations and the Yinka Dene have been solidly opposed to to the pipeline proposal and have refused to let the pipeline go thru their land. opposition on a number of fronts in B.C., including from First Nations, environmentalists and the province’s NDP opposition.
The 727 mile long project is currently undergoing a joint environmental review thru 2013.
By: The Canadian Press, Published on Tue Nov 05 2013
VANCOUVER—The premiers of British Columbia and Alberta say they’re prepared to work through some of the differences that stand in the way of oil pipelines through British Columbia, but they’ve effectively agreed to drop the most contentious issue: B.C.’s desire for a larger share of government royalties associated with the project.
So BC folded, and its not clear what the response will be from the Yinka Dene. From their web site:
The Yinka Dene Alliance includes Nadleh Whut'en, Nak'azdli, Takla Lake, Saik'uz, Wet'suwet'en, and Tl’azt’en First Nations in northern BC who have banned the Enbridge Northern Gateway Pipelines from their territories.
Stand with the Yinka Dene Alliance and sign our petition.
The British Columbia government has opposed the Northern Gateway pipeline at a federal review, but last year outlined five preconditions for it to support any pipeline projects. The first four focused on spill response, environmental protection and consultation with First Nations.
The Port of Kitimat is not capable of super tanker traffic, and is generally thought of as not having enough room for expansion. This would limit tanker traffic to the current Suez max size tankers. In spite of this the Tar Sands partners are push to building a super tanker sized loading platform at Kitimat.
Without the Super tanker capacity, tar sands shipment from Kitimat would limited to coastal tankers delivering to the west coast of the US and Canada.
7:36 PM PT: Just wanted to get this published before I went to bed. I'll check back tomorrow.