One of the most divisive issues in Kitimat in a generation comes to a head today when up to 5,000 eligible voters cast their votes for or against Enbridge's Northern Gateway pipeline project.
More than 900 residents have already voted in advance polls on a question that has split the community.
The Northern Gateway pipeline project has divided the community. It promises jobs and money for the town, but residents are worried about the environmental impacts. (CBC)
"Neighbours won't talk to neighbours," one local resident told CBC News, "and this is not going to go away for a long time."
Kitimat is the community most affected by the $6.5-billion project, because as the endpoint for the pipeline bringing bitumen from Alberta, it would house a marine terminal where the supertankers would load up.
The large ships would sail down the narrow Douglas Channel taking the Alberta crude to new markets in Asia.
City council, which has so far tried to remain neutral, initiated the plebiscite to take the pulse of the community and has said the town's decision will influence its support for the project.
Alberta bitumen would travel down the pipeline to Kitimat where supertankers would take it down the narrow Douglas Channel to new markets in Asia. (CBC)
However, the plebiscite isn't binding on the federal review panel, which has until June to decide if the Northern Gateway project proceeds.
Despite this, critics say Enbridge has raised the stakes by going on a spending spree with lots of advertising and open houses, prompting complaints the company is trying to buy votes.
Murray Minchin with Douglas Channel Watch claims Kitimat has serious concerns about the project's impact.
"The people in Kitimat just feel that this proposal is associated with way too many risks," he told CBC News.
However, Enbridge's Katherine Coutinho points out the project brings jobs and money to the town.
"It's 188 families that will be impacted by these jobs and as I've said $5 million a year in property taxes is significant for local priorities and I think people see the value in that," she said.
The Haisla First Nation surprised Kitimat's mayor by showing up to one of her events wearing 'No Enbridge T-Shirts. However, they can't vote in today's plebiscite. (@DanMesec)
Observers, like Michael Moore with the University of Calgary's School of Public Policy, say the vote is especially important for Enbridge.
"They need a marker that's on their side," says Moore. "They've certainly taken a lot of hits in the media and in the public arena, so they need something that says we really are respecting the rights of the people."
One group Enbridge has not been able to convince so far is the local Haisla First Nation. Dozens surprised Kitimat's mayor by wearing 'No Enbridge' T-shirts to one of her events.
However, most of them don't live in the town and can't vote in the plebiscite.
Anda sedang membaca artikel tentang
Northern Gateway pipeline proposal heads to vote in Kitimat today
Dengan url
http://beritaluarindo.blogspot.com/2014/04/northern-gateway-pipeline-proposal.html
Anda boleh menyebar luaskannya atau mengcopy paste-nya
Northern Gateway pipeline proposal heads to vote in Kitimat today
namun jangan lupa untuk meletakkan link
Northern Gateway pipeline proposal heads to vote in Kitimat today
sebagai sumbernya
0 komentar:
Posting Komentar