Hydro-Québec raises concerns about Energy East pipeline
Quebec's public utility submits application to appear at National Energy Board hearings
Hydro-Québec is raising concerns about the Energy East pipeline route proposed by TransCanada Corp., including the possibility its high-voltage power lines could corrode the pipeline.
The public utility has submitted an application to participate at the National Energy Board hearing scheduled for later this year, according to CBC's French-language service, Radio-Canada.
The Energy East pipeline, a $12-billion project proposed by TransCanada Corp., would shuttle crude from Alberta to Quebec and New Brunswick.
- Energy East Pipeline project sees 1,805 applications to intervene
- TransCanada applies to NEB for pipeline approval
Hydro-Québec said its application isn’t meant to take a position on the controversial project.
However, the public utility is concerned about what a pipeline leak would do to its power lines, and it also suggests the power lines could cause corrosion problems for the pipeline.
The preliminary route proposed by TransCanada would run along high-voltage power lines for about 700 kilometres.
TransCanada spokesman Tim Duboyce said the company has developed a technique that protects the steel pipeline from corrosion caused by the presence of nearby electrical equipment.
The company wants to use a combination of existing pipelines and new construction to carry more than a million barrels of crude oil a day 4,600 kilometres across the country from Alberta to export terminals in Quebec and New Brunswick.
Valero, a Montreal-based petroleum shipping company, admits experiencing a problem due to high-voltage power lines with its St. Lawrence pipeline in eastern Quebec.
A year after installing the pipeline in 2011, corrosion was evident.
"It’s the combination of the presence of electricity nearby and wet soil that leads to small corrosion spots of about one centimetre in diameter,” said Julie Cusson, spokeswoman for Valero.
“This does not look anything like rust. That said, we must repair these spots.”
Environmental groups sound alarm
Environmental groups such as Greenpeace say the concerns raised by Hydro-Québec should raise red flags.
"Hydro-Québec is very clear. There are risks,” said Patrick Bonin of Greenpeace.
“These risks are in addition to many others such as drinking water, beluga whales, the safety and health of people near the pipeline. If Hydro-Québec and the people are concerned at this point, maybe that project is not good for Quebec.”