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By Canadian Press

Alberta welcomes federal OK of NGTL gas pipeline expansion while criticizing delay

Oct 20, 2020 | 2:24 PM

CALGARY – The Alberta government says it welcomes the news that Ottawa has approved an expansion of the Nova Gas Transmission Ltd. gathering system in Alberta while condemning federal delays that it says cost this summer’s construction season.

“Despite months of delay, we are pleased the federal government has approved this key infrastructure project, which will create significant economic benefits and good jobs for Albertans, at a time they are needed the most,” said Alberta Energy Minister Sonya Savage on Tuesday.

“The project was expected to be under construction this summer but, as a result of delays by Ottawa, the bulk of construction is not expected to get underway until 2021.”

The $2.3-billion NGTL expansion was approved by the government as part of a “commitment to moving forward with good projects,” said federal Natural Resources Minister Seamus O’Regan in a news release late Monday.

The federal government strengthened five conditions proposed by the Canada Energy Regulator and added one new condition, he added, with the changes aimed at better addressing Indigenous rights and mitigating construction impacts on caribou habitat.

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The pipeline division owned by Calgary-based TC Energy Corp. will now be required to restore 3,840 hectares of caribou habitat, an area 30 times the size of the habitat impacted by the project, he said, and an Indigenous working group is to be formed to assist with the restoration and monitoring plan.

This report by The Canadian Press was first published Oct. 20, 2020.

The Canadian Press