AER: Decision for Applications for the White Spruce Pipeline Project

Press Release

2018 ABAER 001

TransCanada Pipelines Limited
Applications for the White Spruce Pipeline Project
Fort McKay Area

Applications 1866519 and 1866521, PLA160525, PLA160526, PLA160527, PLA160529, PLA160530, PLA160531, PLA160532, PIL160286, PIL160287, PIL160288, PIL160289, PIL160321, PIL160376, LOC160846, and LOC160995

Decision

[1] The Alberta Energy Regulator (AER) approves the two applications TransCanada Pipelines Limited (TransCanada) made under the Pipeline Act (1866519 and 1866521) and the fifteen applications it made under the Public Lands Act (PLA160525, PLA160526, PLA160527, PLA160529, PLA160530, PLA160531, PLA160532, PIL160286, PIL160287, PIL160288, PIL160289, PIL160321, PIL160376, LOC160846, and LOC160995) subject to the conditions in appendix 1.

Background

[2] TransCanada applied to construct two crude oil pipelines (the White Spruce pipeline project). The first pipeline would be 508 millimeters (mm) in diameter and about 50 metres (m) in length. The second pipeline would be 323.9 mm in diameter and 71.5 kilometres (km) in length. The project would deliver synthetic crude oil (SCO) from Canadian Natural Resources Limited’s (CNRL’s) Horizon processing plant to the Grand Rapids Pipeline GP Ltd. MacKay Terminal for delivery to markets.

[3] Fort McKay First Nation (Fort McKay) was the only participant in the hearing. The project would be located within Fort McKay’s traditional territory. Extensive industrial development exists within Fort McKay’s traditional territory. These developments include oil sands mines, in situ oil sands projects, upgraders, roads, pipelines, and transmission lines. The project would come within 7 km of the Hamlet of Fort McKay, Fort McKay’s residential settlement (figure 1).

[4] Fort McKay holds treaty rights under Treaty 8 and aboriginal rights that include rights to hunt, fish, trap, and gather culturally important natural resources for social, cultural, and consumption purposes as well as to use and enjoy their reserve lands. The project would involve multiple water crossings, including at the Dover and Mackay Rivers, which are important to community members for fishing, hunting, harvesting, and general enjoyment. The project’s route would be colocated with other existing linear disturbances but would enlarge the environmental footprint

Read more: http://www.aer.ca/documents/decisions/2018/2018ABAER001.pdf

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