The Progressive

NewsWire

A project of Common Dreams

For Immediate Release
Contact:

Karen Mahon- 604 836 5992

Sven Biggs - 778-882- 8354

Environmentalists Welcome New Federal Assessment Process for Pipelines and Energy Projects

Today's announcement by the Federal Government places new hurdles in the in the path of the Kinder Morgan pipeline and other energy projects by creating new tests on climate impacts, scientific analyses, community support and First Nations consent.

Vancouver, BC

Today's announcement by the Federal Government places new hurdles in the in the path of the Kinder Morgan pipeline and other energy projects by creating new tests on climate impacts, scientific analyses, community support and First Nations consent.

"If this new process is rigorous and the government does what it says it will do, they will come to the inevitable conclusion that the Kinder Morgan pipeline cannot be built. That is what the science says, that is what the communities say and that is what the First Nations are saying." said Sven Biggs, Pipeline Campaigner for ForestEthics Advocacy.

"While the stated goals of the new process are admirable, it seems impossible to do all of that within the additional 4 months timeline extension they have arbitrarily determined" said Biggs.

"Today's announcement makes it clear that even the government believes that the National Energy Board process is fatally flawed" said Biggs "For this reason no new projects including the Energy East pipeline, should be put before the board before new environmental assessment legislation is passed."

For British Columbia this means that any proposed LNG development that triggers a federal assessment will also be subject to this additional process. "It is hard to imagine that any LNG development would be consistent with Canada's commitment to limit climate change to 1.5 degrees, which is the test this new process would impose" said Karen Mahon Director of ForestEthics Advocacy.

Founded in 2000, ForestEthics is a nonprofit environmental organization with staff in Canada, the United States and Chile. Our mission is to protect Endangered Forests and wild places, wildlife, and human wellbeing--one of our focus areas is climate change, which compromises all of our efforts if left unchecked. We catalyze environmental leadership among industry, governments and communities by running hard-hitting and highly effective campaigns that leverage public dialogue and pressure to achieve our goals.