LandKeepers News Archive
Gateway is a Proposal, Not a Project: Harris
July 08 2009 | News Articles | Kitimat Northern Sentinel
There are some misconceptions about Enbridge’s Northern Gateway project, says Roger Harris, the company’s vice-president of Communications and Aboriginal Partnerships. And the first, he recently told the Prince Rupert and District Chamber of Commerce, is that it is even a project.
“This isn’t a project at this point, even though it has been talked about as if it were fait accomplit,” he explained. “This is a proposal, a chance to see if there is interest in pursuing a project in the future. The whole purpose isn’t to say ‘this is what we are going to do’, it’s to say ‘this is what we think, this is what we’re proposing’,” he added, noting the current time line could see construction in 2013 for a 2016 operational date.
As for critics of the proposal, he said, “I’d rather go into a room where people are critical than a room where people just ask when it can be built.”
Harris also said that, contrary to many reports, the project isn’t designed to increase the development of the Alberta oil sands, rather it is to give current production access to global markets so the industry isn’t entirely dependent on U.S. markets. As for safety, Harris hoped the project will make the environment they work in “safer than without the project”. Referring to the Kitimat oil terminal side, he pointed out, “These tankers would be tug escorted and tug-tethered – you don’t see the tethering down in Vancouver – and the manoeuvrability would be better than what is seen today.
“We would be setting standards for others to follow when it comes to marine operations,” he maintained, adding it was important not to try and push the Exxon Valdez incident to the backburner. “I think the Exxon Valdez is something that should be talked about because it is an example of everything done wrong. No business should be operating in 2012 like that.”As for First Nations consultation, Harris said Enbridge has agreements with 33 communities under which Enbridge to supply the resources to allow those communities to study the proposal and provide feedback.
He also noted First Nations would be offered part ownership of the pipelines to ensure standards are being adhered to. He also said benefits to the communities would be key in making the pipeline a reality.
“On the marine operations side we are looking at about 85 to 100 jobs, and that doesn’t include shore support and terminal operators.” Countering claims by opponents, Harris said, “We’re not talking about a few jobs, we’re talking about a significant number of jobs and businesses that aren’t currently in the communities,” adding those new businesses would be the legacy of the project. “If we can do this and do it right, a project like this could be a significant driver of employment.”
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