Energy East environmental review can go ahead, Quebec judge rules

 A Quebec Superior Court judge has ruled the province's environmental hearings into the Energy East pipeline can go ahead.

A coalition of environmental groups was seeking an injunction because it believes the hearings will not be complete without impact studies from TransCanada, which is behind the proposed pipeline.

Justice Élise Poisson rejected the request in a decision handed down Friday afternoon.

• Energy East: Quebec environmental groups file court motion challenging pipeline project
• Energy East dust-up more than just an East-West tiff

The hearings are scheduled to begin on Monday.

Earlier this week, the Quebec government also said it would seek an injunction to ensure TransCanada complies with provincial environmental regulations.

On Friday, TransCanada said it is committed to participating in the hearings, which will take place in Levis, across the St. Lawrence River from Quebec City.

"We remain confident this BAPE process can address Quebecers' concerns adequately,'' Bergeron said in a statement after the ruling.

The $15.7-billion Energy East pipeline, which has generated stiff opposition in Quebec, would carry 1.1 million barrels a day of western crude as far east as Saint John, N.B., serving domestic refineries and international customers.