Above Photo:
CALGARY — An export terminal in Quebec will no longer be part of the equation for the cross-Canada Energy East Pipeline.
The company behind the project, TransCanada Corp., says it’s amending its application to the National Energy Board to take the Quebec port out of the project’s scope.
TransCanada had wanted to connect Alberta crude to two eastern ports, enabling sales to overseas customers — one in Saint John, N.B., and one in Cacouna, Que.
In April, TransCanada ditched the Cacouna port proposal because of concerns over beluga whale habitat, but it had spent months scouting out other potential locations along the St. Lawrence River.
TransCanada says it will ensure refineries in Montreal and Quebec City are still able to access domestic crude from Energy East.
With a price tag of more than $12 billion, Energy East would be one of the biggest infrastructure projects in Canadian history, traversing six provinces and around 4,600 kilometres.
“Today’s announcement demonstrates our dedication to listening and delivering a vital infrastructure project that will provide significant economic benefits to all provinces along the pipeline’s route,” said TransCanada CEO Russ Girling.