By Josh Hall (Twitter: @Vancan19)

Cautious optimism in Red Deer for Trans Mountain expansion’s future

Feb 23, 2019 | 10:34 AM

Local officials are taking the latest announcement from the National Energy Board regarding the Trans Mountain Pipeline project with a grain or two of salt.

On Friday, the NEB stated that the project is in the best interest of Canadians, but that if the federal government wants to approve it, they need to consider 16 new recommendations. The board had already made 156 others.

Some of the new recommendations revolve around reducing ferry noise and ensuring the safety of southern resident killer whale populations in the Salish Sea. It’s stated in the report that an increase in tanker traffic could hurt not just whales, but also Indigenous culture, while creating more greeenhouse gas emissions.

Red Deer Mayor Tara Veer says the NEB’s statement is a positive step in the right direction.

“It is a priority for Red Deerians, Albertans and Canadians to get energy to market, and to ensure the most safe transport of our natural resources,” she says.

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“It’s imperative that the federal government fulfill the additional consultations with Indigenous persons that are necessary in order to see the project come to fruition.”

Veer also touched on the announcement this week from Alberta Opposition leader Jason Kenney that he would shelve Premier Rachel Notley’s plan to use rail cars while we wait for a pipeline.

“I think it’s imperative to note that our ultimate objective is pipeline construction, and certainly railway cars highlight the economic desperation in our province,” says Veer. At best, it is is an interim solution, because the safest and most efficient  transport of energy product is by pipeline.”

Rick More, CEO of the Red Deer and District Chamber of Commerce, says he’s feeling a lot more confident today that Trans Mountain will get built than before the latest report.

“It’s good news, but it was good news last time so I wouldn’t get too excited. It’s preliminary good news, let’s just say that,” says More.

“Timing wise, for the NDP, they would probably be glad to see this happening, but I dont know where we are with the rail cars if this goes ahead.”

Should Justin Trudeau’s cabinet approve the project, it would triple the capacity of the existing line between Edmonton and Burnaby to about 890,000 barrels of oil per day.

A number of Indigenous groups have already stated they will continue to fight in hopes of preventing the expansion project from seeing the light of day.

rdnewsNOW has also reached out to Red Deer – Mountain View MP Earl Dreeshen for comment.

(with files from The Canadian Press)