FONOM Encouraged RE: Energy East Project Milestone
KAPUSKASING, ON ‐ The Federation of Northern Ontario Municipalities (FONOM) is encouraged that on June 16, 2016, the National Energy Board (NEB) determined that TransCanada’s Energy East project applications are complete and it will now enter a 21 month review process before it goes to the Federal Government for a final decision.
For the past three years, TransCanada has demonstrated its commitment to keep municipalities, indigenous communities, first responders and individual Canadians informed throughout the process and available to address any concerns that they may have about Energy East. FONOM has previously extended its support of the Energy East project due to the environmental and socioeconomic impacts it will have on Northern Ontario.
“We are confident that TransCanada will adhere to the highest safety standards,” says Mayor Alan Spacek of Kapuskasing and President of FONOM. “The proposed pipeline would be rigourously regulated and evaluated by both provincial and federal bodies and would reduce the amount of oil being transported through our communities by rail and truck significantly,” continued Spacek.
Additionally, the socioeconomic impacts will be felt along the proposed route. According to the Conference Board of Canada, Ontario will see the largest share of economic benefits during the development and construction of Energy East as well as the ongoing operations including an estimated 3,889 full time jobs during development and construction and 1,523 jobs annually once in operation.
“We know that the Energy East will be subjected to an extensive evaluation by the NEB. They have committed to engaging with Canadians along the route and we look forward to being part of that discussion,” says Spacek.
