CALGARY, Alberta, March 12 (UPI) -- Canadian regulators are ignoring the potential environmental impact of the proposed Mackenzie natural gas pipeline, environmental advocates said.
The National Energy Board of Canada called for modifications for 85 of the 176 recommendations proposed by a joint review panel for the proposed Mackenzie pipeline. The NEB said many of the social and environmental recommendations were beyond its jurisdiction, the Calgary Herald reports.
"Conditions imposed by the NEB in such cases could conflict with existing and future regulatory processes," the energy watchdog said. "Therefore, the (board) is considering not including such recommendations."
Canada's Imperial Oil, a leading advocate for the Mackenzie pipeline, had complained recommendations regarding noise abatement for a bird sanctuary were impractical.
Sheila Muxlow, acting director of a local chapter of the Sierra Club, chastised the NEB decision.
"The NEB is essentially rejecting the joint review panel's focus on ensuring economic and ecological sustainability, and the need to examine the cumulative effects of the basin-opening Mackenzie gas project," she said.
The proposed Mackenzie gas pipeline would stretch more than 740 miles from the Arctic to Alberta.
