TransCanada Corp. won’t confirm whether or not it’s proceeding with the Energy East pipeline from Alberta to New Brunswick, but there are signs the company is well into the planning process.
Andrew Dawson represents thousands of trades workers in Atlantic Canada. He says lots of work is going on behind the scenes in preparation for the west-east pipeline.
“Serious people are taking this seriously,” he says. “We’re in discussions over project labour supply and what that agreement would look like, so the people who need to spend money and invest in this project are doing it.”
Monday marked the end of the so-called open season - a chance for suppliers to sign long-term promises to use the pipeline.
In a cautious statement Tuesday, TransCanada says they are encouraged by the level of bid submissions in the open season and continue to feel positive about the prospects of Energy East moving forward.
In Halifax, federal Natural Resources Minister Joe Oliver was asked about the preparations TransCanada is already making in New Brunswick.
“They have the right to look ahead and see what the potential route might be and that is what I understand they are doing,” says Oliver.
In recent weeks, TransCanada has been surveying in the upper St. John River Valley, planning for the pipeline project.
It appears the project is going ahead with relatively few voices of dissent.
“It’s almost like the government and the supporters of this pipeline project have brought a chill on this province in terms of any discussion about this pipeline,” says David Coon, leader of the New Brunswick Green Party.
Coon says the project is no different from similar pipelines that have been rejected in British Columbia.
If TransCanada gives the official green light to Energy East, the company will have to apply for environmental and regulatory approval to build the line.
With files from CTV Atlantic's Mike Cameron
