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Mackenzie Delta pipeline welcomed
last update: Feb 17, 2009 10:38 AM
Great celebrations were held at the start of northern pipeline hearings and Mackenzie Delta indigenous leaders welcomed it as the dawn of a new era in Arctic economic growth.
Ken Vollman, chairman of the National Energy Board said "The $7-billion Mackenzie Gas Project ranks among the largest schemes to seek the NEB's approval in its 47-year history". There will be a 26 hearings in as many communities. "a historic undertaking" Vollman added.
Fred Carmichael, president of the Gwich'in Tribal Council and chairman of the Aboriginal Pipeline Group, which owns one-third of the $4.8-billion natural gas conduit proposed to run 1,200 kilometres through the Mackenzie Valley to Alberta said "We're ready, there's nothing else up here.''
It was a long and hard road for the project as it had to survive six years of cautious industry planning and hard bargaining with Arctic communities to make it into regulatory review by the NEB and an environmental joint review panel that will start parallel hearings in February.
The Mackenzie Delta and northern stretches of the Mackenzie Delta lack the other resources such as diamonds in the southern Deh Cho region of the Northwest Territories and as such, building the gas megaproject is a must.
"We will hear from people with many points of view, and will consider those views before making our decision'' Vollman said.
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