YEC Pipeline: Enbridge Dissertation to Council + Eek Motion

Mayor Pellegrini requested Enbridge to present an update of the pipeline construction process (currently underway in Pottageville) at the 9th Council session yesterday evening.  I was there, and here is an accounting of my key observations.

And if you are new to this issue, you may find my previous post: Game Over for the Pipeline Debacle worth reading.

 

 

I must say Enbridge’s presentation to Council read like their letters to Council and other interested parties emphasizing their safety record, adherence to standards etc.  I don’t think anyone doubts these “facts”.  The trouble is, there have been some alarming accidents where proximity to populated areas is a huge concern.  Especially when in our case, human safety could have been addressed by merely selecting an identified alternate route, missing Pottageville altogether.

As an example, more than once the Project Manager (Rich Murray – who spoke for Enbridge) was asked what the radius of damage would be if the pipeline was ruptured.  And repeatedly, he answered by stating that this type of pipeline material (9mm steel) is designed to “leak not rupture” (which I take is supposed to be a good thing). However, a rupture could occur – and Mr. Murray acknowledged this – but I believe he knew better that to “go there”.  Katharine Parsons and Doctor Charles Rhodes submitted to Council early last year their calculations and they are substantial: an ignited rupture in front of the Kettleby school, for example, would completely obliterate the school and all its occupants.  If you are not familiar with this report, you can read it here.

Each section of pipeline construction will take approximately 2 months each, give or take:

a) Pottageville Road from the Gate Station to Jane;
b) Jane to Hwy 9;
c) Hwy 9 to Dufferin; and,
d) Dufferin from Hwy 9 to the plant.

So we’ll see this construction activity ongoing for the duration of this year.

He did address the water issues:

1)  Pottageville’s water table is “high” but not so high that it would negate the pipeline running through it.  In fact, he stated that the overall water table level is lower than Enbridge anticipated. In addition, he commented that what most residents are observing as table water is in fact surface water, not the same thing.

2)  The sludge water (a mixture of clay and water) being pumped into the trucks is excess mixture being injected into the drilling shafts to maintain their integrity as work progresses, and to provide lubrication for the sections of drill piping as they are removed.  He stated that some water does leach to the surface in some instances that the trucks are capturing it for re-use in their work.  All this mixture can be re-used in the project and and once, completed, the sludge mix is “disposed of properly”.

Several pre-submitted questions were answered, as well as one from me:  I asked for Enbridge to confirm their policy on allowing businesses along the route to connect to the pipeline (I understand those east of the School and others are interested as they have no gas service presently).  Enbridge’s Mr. Murray stated that Enbridge will consider such hook-ups following at least a 2-year period of observance of flow through the pipeline to see if there’s capacity to allow this.

ONE GOOD THING came out of the Council meeting (though it only affects the Dufferin Street portion north of Hwy 9 AND potentially the peaker plant itself):  Councillor Eek tabled this motion (that will be discussed and voted on at the next Council meeting).  It asks for the Township’s building permits for the King portion of the pipeline AND remaining peaker plant permits be halted pending the proper Ministry of Natural Resources wetlands evaluation, not conducted properly in Councillor Eek’s opinion as a result of the Province’s haste in approving the plant and removing it from the planning process.

I’ll update you following the next meeting on this development in a separate blog post.

Councillor Debbie Schaefer wrote about her observations and continuing concerns with the pipeline following the dissertation on her blog post, Pipeline Learnings.

Finally, I want to state that I’m happy Mayor Pellegrini requested, and was able to obtain agreement, for Enbridge to make this presentation to Council.  He and several Councillors have, in my opinion, been working very hard to address the failings of the previous Council and minimize the impacts, the pipeline being one of several important issues on their menu at present.   Despite our frustrations and disappointments with the peaker plant and pipeline, I believe these key members of our Council deserve credit for this dedication.