Enbridge Northern Gateway Pipelines, a project conditionally accepted on June 17, 2014 by the government, has been suspended as First Nations from BC and Alberta organized campaigns against the enterprise.

Initially, the project was supposed to deliver diluted bitumen from Alberta to Kitimat, British Columbia, to transfer the oil to the Asian consumers. Soon after the confirmation, numerous non-governmental organizations, particularly First Nation associations, criticized the proposal due to their concerns over economic, environmental and social dangers associated with the venture (e.g. the risk of oil spills, disruption in employment, and additional CO₂ emissions). Enbridge, Inc. offered 10% equity stake to Aboriginal bands that would cease the opposition to the project. While 60% of the groups signed the contract, others keep hindering the development of the enterprise.

For instance, The Gitxaala, a BC First Nation, legally challenged a judicial report used as a basis for the project approval; as they claim, the federal cabinet didn’t consider their rights when confirming the proposal and relied on the biased safety report provided by Enbridge, Inc.

Currently, with the solid constitutional and legal standpoint of the First Nations, “Kitimat is a total non-starter,” says a senior member of the BC government. Nevertheless, according to Enbridge CEO Al Monaco, the company hasn’t “really considered a Plan B” and focuses on the current plan. Indeed, if the plan changed, the company would have to receive an approval of a new plan from National Energy Board; that would take a few more years. Meanwhile, Enbridge itself or its partners could determine costs of the proposal to be too high and finally withdraw from the project.

Even so, at the moment, Enbridge does have an option to change its terminus for the pipeline, moving away from Kitimat. Thus, while the proposal is not in the dead end yet, the company should develop a plan B to implement the project.

“Court Allows B.C. First Nation To Challenge Northern Gateway.” The Huffington Post. 26 Sept. 2014.

“Enbridge Northern Gateway Pipelines.” Wikipedia.

Mason, Gary. “Enbridge Could Use a Gateway Plan B.” The Globe and Mail. 2 Oct. 2014.