Canada’s National Energy Board begins hearings today into the controversial Energy East oil pipeline that–if approved and built–would carry crude from Alberta to New Brunswick, beginning in 2020.
The proposed pipeline would cost about $15.7 billion to construct, carry 1.1 million barrels of oil a day and has divided many Canadians.
Backers say it would be an economic boon; environmentalist say the risks are too great.
The National Energy Board must make a recommendation on the project to the federal government by March, 2018.
The pipeline, built by Calgary-based energy corporation TransCanada, would be constructed by converting an existing natural gas pipeline to one suited for oil transportation, as well as building new sections of pipeline to complete the route.
Today’s hearings are being held in Saint John, New Brunswick, where the oil sent through the proposed 4,500-kilometre project would be refined.
Hearings will also be held in nine other cities and will wrap up in Kingston, Ontario in December.
In all, 337 members of the public are scheduled to appear before the board.
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