Mackenzie Gas Pipeline Approved

The National Energy Board has given the green light for a 1,200-km pipeline to carry natural gas from the Northwest Territories to Alberta.

After a six year review process, the National Energy Board finally released a report Thursday that found the $16.2-billion pipeline is in the public interest. Proponents of the project, which was proposed by a consortium that includes Imperial Oil, Exxon Mobil, and Shell, say that it will pump money and jobs into the Northwest Territories, but critics say it could cause serious environmental damage. The NEB ruled that before construction can begin the consortium must take steps to ensure the environment will be protected, and also secure land-use rights from local communities and compensate affected First Nations groups. The NEB’s approval is a major, but not final, step. The federal cabinet must still approve the project.