For the record.
The motion by local intervenor Kelly Izzard to have Northern Gateway’s map of a potential spill reaching Stuart Lake was approved by the Enbridge Northern Gateway Joint Review Panel (JRP).
The map shows the potential for a full-bore rupture of the proposed pipeline at the pump station planned for near Pitka Creek to enter into the creek and travel downstream to Stuart Lake.
Izzard filed the request to enter the map as late evidence on Aug 13, 2012, in order to be able to question Northern Gateway at the final hearings in Prince George on the subject of the proposed pump station.
The map is based on an estimate of 13 minutes for the leak to be detected and the nearest valves to be closed and uses a complicated formula for the rate of flow of the diluted bitumen into the creek.
Northern Gateway had responded to the motion by saying they were willing to speak to the map as evidence.
A related motion was filed by the Haisla Nation for all the mapping for full bore ruptures based on the same 13-minute valve closures be entered as evidence. Northern Gateway has agreed to do so, and the maps were expected to be filed last week.
Izzard said he introduced the motion because he wants it to be a part of the debate. He had expected Northern Gateway to submit the map as evidence themselves, and would like to be able to address the potential risks to Stuart Lake and Pitka Creek posed by the proposed pumping station in his questions at the final hearings.
“In the absence of that map showing up on the public registry, people would be unaware that there is a risk here,” said Izzard.
The hearings give participants the opportunity to question Northern Gateway on any evidence which has been put forward to the JRP. However, unless information is already part of the evidence being considered by the JRP, participants cannot base questions on it.
Questioning the company at the final hearings requires considerable dedication in terms of time and money.
“It’s so complex to delve into, you need lots of time and a certain degree of technical knowledge,” said Izzard. “If you’re going to participate in the process, it’s a large commitment of time.”
Izzard said he is willing to dedicate so much to the process because “it’s a critical piece.”
“It’s the beginning of a much larger debate or discussion nationally on where we’re going with energy, with climate change, with intergenerational responsibility in terms of energy security in our country,” said Izzard. “It’s important to be involved.”
The second phase of the final hearings begins in Prince George next week, the first phase wrapped up in Edmonton on Sept. 28 and the final phase will take place in Prince Rupert.
“I look forward to the final hearings taking place in my hometown,” said Janet Holder, Enbridge Executive Vice President Western Access, in a release last week. “As the project proponent, we intend to demonstrate to British Columbians and to all Canadians through the examination of the facts and science upon which this project application is based that there is a path forward that provides for prosperity while protecting the environment. “
Each location deals with certain aspects of the proposed pipeline.
The Edmonton hearings saw Enbridge Northern Gateway answering questions related to the economic need for the project, the potential impacts of the project on commercial interests and financial matters related to the pipeline.
The Prince George hearings will now involve questions from participants regarding the environmental and socio-economic impacts of the pipeline, landowner issues and land use, routing, design and construction of both the pipeline and the marine terminal and operations, safety, and emergency response, prevention and preparedness for the pipeline.
“We’ve been looking forward to our opportunity to provide answers about our design. We’ve worked for many years to propose a route that balances environmental protection with the desires of local communities,” said Raymond Doering, Northern Gateway’s Manager of Engineering in the Northern Gateway release. Doering will be a member of the Prince George technical panel and was also the engineer who spoke to Izzard, eventually sending him the map Izzard has had entered into evidence.