(Calgary) The Canada Energy Regulator (REC) on Monday approved the request to divert the route of the Trans Mountain pipeline.
The Crown corporation that owns the pipeline project had requested authorization to slightly modify the route of a 1.3 kilometer section of the pipeline in the Jacko Lake area, near Kamloops, as well as the method of construction of this section.
Trans Mountain Corporation had indicated that it had encountered technical difficulties related to the construction of a tunnel in the area.
Trans Mountain’s request, however, encountered opposition from the Stk’emlúpsemc te Secwépemc nation, whose traditional territory is crossed by the pipeline, and which had only accepted the route initially proposed.
Trans Mountain Corporation had indicated that if its request for a route deviation was refused, this could extend its work by nine months, in addition to increasing the final bill for the project by an additional 86 million.
The regulator said it would publish explanations for its decision in the coming weeks.