Pipe up against Enbridge

Enbridge, a company that distributes and transports crude oil across North America, is proposing a project called the Northern Pacific Gateway. The Enbridge Northern Gateway Project involves a new twin pipeline system running from near Edmonton, Alberta, to a new marine terminal in Kitimat, British Columbia to export petroleum and import condensate.

Enbridge says that they are committed to constructing and operating Northern Gateway to the highest environmental and safety standards to ensure environmental protection. They say it will create a lasting legacy of local investment, tax revenue and jobs for the North. They say that they have embraced a new relationship with Aboriginal peoples across Canada and recognize Aboriginal rights. We are petitioning this today to tell you that the hidden costs to the pipeline get paid by our environment, our economy, and our people.

The destruction of the oil spill is shown by the statitcs. The latest data shows that On September 9, 2010, a rupture on Enbridge's Line 6A pipeline near Romeoville, Illinois released an estimate 6,100 barrels (970 m3) of oil into the surrounding area. On September 16, 2010, the NTSB released preliminary findings indicating that the leak was caused by a rock in the fill between the pipeline and a water main that was later laid below the pipeline.

Pipelines carry a serious risk of oil spills. Metal pipelines age and corrode over time, making them susceptible to ruptures. Pipelines are also at risk of breakage due to natural events such as landslides, and non-accidental events such as terrorism.

The National Enery Board estimates large petroleum pipelines will experience a spill every 16 years for every 1000 kilometres in length. [National Energy Board, Analysis of Ruptures and Trends on Major Canadian Pipeline Systems, 2004].

Each year, oil pipelines in North America spill millions of litres of oil into the environment. In July 2010, Enbridge’s Lakehead pipeline ruptured near Battle Creek, Michigan, spilling an estimated 4 million litres of crude oil into the Kalamazoo River. It was the largest oil spill in Midwest U.S. history. Although Enbridge claims to have a rigorous pipeline safety program, there are serious questions being asked regarding both its maintenance of its pipelines and its response to the oil spill.

The effect of oil spill is tremendous , they can be controlled by chemical dispersion, combustion, mechanical containment, and/or adsorption. Spills may take weeks, months or even years to clean up and it will cause the disappear of the wildlife.

This group is to pipe up against the company of Enbridge to eliminate the use of the oil pipe lines and pumps which will cause serious oil contamination.