The Growing Costs of the Coastal GasLink Pipeline in Canada
As reported last week in the Pipeline Technology Journal, there has been nation-wide protests in Canada against the construction of the 670-km, $6.2 billion Coastal GasLink pipeline in British Columbia. Roads and railway lines have been blocked, commerce disrupted, the country divided on the best way forward. One week later it has only gotten much worse with both sides manning the ramparts.
Indigenous Services Minister Marc Miller, who held talks with some indigenous communities on Saturday, told a talk show on Sunday the unrest and its impact on the economy amounted to a national crisis. Prime Minister Justin Trudeau has cancelled a planned trip to Barbados to deal with the deteriorating situation. On the bright side, Premier John Horgan of British Columbia, who just last week declined to meet with the Wet’suwet’en community, has made a volte-face and is now working to meet with indigenous leaders.
Russ Girling, President and CEO of TC Energy, said “"today we are proceeding with work at over 30 sites along the route with over 1,000 men and women currently employed,” noting that the Royal Canadian Mounted Police began enforcing a court injunction against blockades on Feb. 6. He added that he is "extremely disappointed" with the opposition to the pipeline.
Negotiations seem to be the only way out of this situation as the costs for Coastal GasLink are growing daily with this current impasse.