MCK to apply for intervener status at hearings for new $12 billion pipeline project

11/04/2014

The Mohawk Council of Kahnawà:ke (MCK) would like to inform the community that it will be applying for intervener status at the upcoming National Energy Board (NEB) hearings in regard to the Energy East Pipeline Project being proposed by Trans-Canada Pipelines.

Chief and Council were fully supportive of the decision, which was discussed and proposed at yesterday’s Council meeting.

The project, which is projected to cost approximately $12 billion, is designed to be built between North Bay, Ontario and Montreal. It is a completely different project than the Enbridge Line 9B project, which is currently on hold pending the NEB’s directive to Enbridge to improve some of its safety measures.

“We have an obligation to ensure that any infrastructure that passes through our region meets proper environmental safety requirements,” said Environment Portfolio Chief Clinton Phillips. “As we have in the past we will make every effort to be accurate in our findings and firm in any recommendations we may make.”

The official announcement to inform potential interveners to make their applications has not yet been made. The hearings process is expected to begin in late 2014/early 2015 and last about 15 months.