Need a Source? Waterkeeper can help you cover the Enbridge Line 9 pipeline reversal
It seems like energy issues - and pipelines in particular - are everywhere this fall. If you are a local reporter in Southern Ontario, cover energy issues, or write about environmental stories, the Enbridge Line 9 pipeline reversal probably affects you.
Line 9 is a 762 kilometre stretch of pipeline owned by Enbridge. Enbridge is currently seeking approval from the National Energy Board to reverse the direction that crude oil flows through the 639-kilometre section of pipeline between New Westover, Ontario and Montreal, Quebec. Enbridge is also asking to increase the pipeline’s capacity by 60,000 barrels of heavy crude oil per day (to a total capacity of 300,000 barrels per day).
Reversing Line 9B could have serious impacts on the public’s ability to safely swim, drink, and fish in Lake Erie, Lake Ontario, the Ottawa River, and St. Lawrence River watersheds. Lake Ontario Waterkeeper and our peers are very concerned about irreversible harm to the natural environment that would results from spills.
Our formal submission to the National Energy Board highlights the likelihood of accidents along the pipeline route and notes that Ontario is ill-prepared to handle spills. It was co-signed by Lake Ontario Waterkeeper, Ottawa Riverkeeper, Lake Erie Waterkeeper, and the Upper St. Lawrence Riverkeeper/Save the River.
The National Energy Board will be holding a two week hearing. Week one is in Montreal (October 8 - 11) and week two is in Toronto (October 16 - 19). Lake Ontario Waterkeeper will be attending the Toronto hearing dates.
Talk to Lake Ontario Waterkeeper President, Mark Mattson, about Line 9
Talk to Mark Mattson, President of Lake Ontario Waterkeeper about the Line 9 proposal and energy issues in Ontario. As an environmental lawyer, Mark has worked in the private, public, and nonprofit sectors. He has more than two decades’ experience in energy law.
Mark Mattson is available for interview: 416-861-1237 or allie[at]waterkeeper.ca
About Lake Ontario Waterkeeper
Lake Ontario Waterkeeper is a Canadian charity working for a day when every person in our watershed can safely touch the water, when the water is pure enough to drink, and when the lake is clean and wild enough that you could toss in a line anywhere and pull out a fish.
To learn more about Waterkeeper, visit www.waterkeeper.ca. Waterkeeper is on social media: @LOWaterkeeper, Facebook, or Instagram.
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For further information and to arrange for an interview: Allie Kosela, allie [at] waterkeeper.ca, 416.861.1237