[All] Valves of Line 9 oil pipeline in Waterloo Region

[Louisette Lanteigne]

Hi folks

I am in dialogue with the GRCA about this matter currently and I've informed Regional staff and the folks below about this issue.

The Grand and Nith is at serious risk with the Line 9 reversal but the NEB already approved the plan. We must demand shut off valves on the WEST sides of these tributaries to prevent disaster. Details below.

Lulu 


----- Forwarded Message -----
From: Louisette Lanteigne <butterflybluelu at rogers.com>
To: "akoehl at ecojustice.ca" <akoehl at ecojustice.ca>; "admin at waterkeeper.ca" <admin at waterkeeper.ca>; "david at donnellylaw.ca" <david at donnellylaw.ca>; "dsaxe at envirolaw.com" <dsaxe at envirolaw.com>; "theresa at cela.ca" <theresa at cela.ca>; "greenbelt at ontario.ca" <greenbelt at ontario.ca>; "info at forestethicssolutions.org" <info at forestethicssolutions.org>; "info at 350.org" <info at 350.org>; "info at carolinian.org" <info at carolinian.org>; "info at equiterre.org" <info at equiterre.org>; "info at ontarionature.org" <info at ontarionature.org>; "info at perlofburlington.org" <info at perlofburlington.org>; Mark Calzavara <mcalzavara at canadians.org>; "nrdcinfo at nrdc.org" <nrdcinfo at nrdc.org>; "ontario at natureconservancy.ca" <ontario at natureconservancy.ca>; Rebecca McNeil <rmcneil at environmentaldefence.ca>; "timw at pembina.org" <timw at pembina.org>; "TMaas at wwfcanada.org" <TMaas at wwfcanada.org>; "wellingtonwaterwatchers at gmail.com" <wellingtonwaterwatchers at gmail.com>; "wkm at sixnations.ca" <wkm at sixnations.ca> 
Sent: Wednesday, March 6, 2013 4:19:01 PM
Subject: Enbridge letter regarding shut of valves along the Grand River in Waterloo Region.
 

Hello everyone

The NEB already gave the approval for the Enbridge Line 9 pipeline reversal for phase 1, from Sarnia to Westover back in August 2012. I was a participant at that hearing but that ruling took place before Omnibus bill C-45 removed the Navigable Waters Act status from the Nith and Grand River in the upper reaches in proximity to this pipeline.

The Omnibus Bill's outcome is that it negated the need to install shut off valves for oil pipes crossing tributaries. Procedurally I'm wondering if Enbridge is bound to still install those shut off valves seeing that the NEB gave their OK during the time the Navigable Waters Act was still in effect.  We really need those valves in there, particularly with the nature of flooding we've had along the Nith River. With climate change we can expect a lot more of that in the days ahead. 

Right now the Grand River has a shut off valve on the east side of the river which was placed when the oil flow was going east to west. If we have a flood and debris or erosion damaging the structural integrity of that oil pipe in the river, the east side valve won't do any good to stop a crisis spill.  We need to demand the placement of a west side valve.  That's just common sense.  If they deemed it reasonable in the past to install one on the East Side of the river, than surely if they reverse the flow the government should support the need for one to be placed on the West Side. 

Below is the response I received from Enbridge staff. Please feel free to relay this info as you see fit.

Louisette Lanteigne
700 Star Flower Ave.
Waterloo Ont
N2V 2L2

----- Forwarded Message -----
From: Margery Fowke <Margery.Fowke at enbridge.com>
To: "butterflybluelu at rogers.com" <butterflybluelu at rogers.com> 
Sent: Tuesday, March 5, 2013 11:35:05 PM
Subject: RE: Two brief questions regarding Enbridge Line 9 & tips to prevent leaks
 

 
Ms Lanteigne,
 
Thank you for your questions regarding Line 9.  Frank is no longer working on this project, so he forwarded your email to me for response.  Please see the responses to your question below.
 
1.        Is there currently a shut off valve for where Line 9 crosses the Nith and Grand Rivers?
 
Response:  Enbridge has an isolation valve on the east side of the Grand River and an isolation valve 4.8 km (3 miles) west of the Nith River.
 
2.       Where is Enbridge's closest emergency response team should there be a spill in Waterloo Region?  Would that be Flamborough?
 
Response: Enbridge has an emergency response team in Flamborough. That is the closest response team.
 
Thank you also for the information you provided us.  The effort you put in and the work you do are much appreciated.  
 
Yours sincerely,
 
Margery Fowke
Senior Regulatory Counsel
Enbridge Pipelines Inc.
margery.fowke at enbridge.com
403 266-7907
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