VANCOUVER, BRITISH COLUMBIA — (Marketwire) — 10/18/11 — A record breaking 4000 citizens have signed-up to speak in front of the National Energy Board–s Joint Review Panel for the proposed Enbridge Northern Gateway Pipeline, a number that eclipses the previous record of 558 speakers for the Mackenzie Valley Pipeline Joint Review Panel.
Environmental group, ForestEthics, says the record-breaking participation shows an unprecedented level of public concern that doesn–t bode well for Enbridge.
“It–s clear this project has struck a very public nerve,” said Jolan Bailey, Canadian Outreach Coordinator with ForestEthics. “Enbridge–s plan to punch a pipeline through to the West Coast has hit a wall of opposition that stretches from Kitimat to Kalamazoo.”
ForestEthics, which helped publicize the opportunity to speak to the panel, is aware of at least three residents from Michigan who plan to speak about the damage wrought by Enbridge–s 4 million litre spill into the Kalamazoo River in July of 2010, which closed the river to swimming and fishing.
The federal review panel will begin hearing oral statements from citizens in January at hearings in communities along the proposed pipeline route.
Contacts:
ForestEthics
Jolan Bailey
Canadian Outreach Coordinator
604-331-6201 ext. 227