The First Nations are voicing their concerns about the proposed Energy East pipeline to the National Energy Board.
Chief George Ginnish of the Assembly of First Nations’ Chiefs in New Brunswick warns unless all concerns can be meaningfully addressed, the will not consent to the pipeline in their territory.
Chief Ginnish also points out the pipeline would cross 360 water courses in New Brunswick alone.
Trans Canada estimates tanker traffic in the Bay of Fundy will increase by 281 a year if the Energy East pipeline is constructed which is less than one a day. Chief Rebecca Knockwood of the Fort Folly First Nation says that will still increase the risk to the commercial fishery.
Chief Knockwood says they have historically relied on salmon and a spill would be ‘devastating’ to the recovery of salmon stocks.
The Conservation Council of New Brunswick pulled no punches in its presentation to the National Energy Board, declaring the proposed Energy East pipeline is not in the public interest. Fundy Baykeeper Matt Abbot says there have been oil spills in the bay and they’re difficult to track because they move so fast with one happening in 2007 which got lost in the fog.
The port of Saint John has voiced support for the proposed Energy East pipeline to the National Energy Board. Port President and C-E-O Jim Quinn maintains there are regulations and oversight you can put in place to ensure it’s safe.
Kenneth Francis of the Elsipogtog First Nation told the hearing We’re fighting for our survival and the pipeline coming through is an attack on our territory.
