Town pressures Enbridge for more isolation valves by David Lea Oakville Beaver Staff 7 | Friday, July 12, 2013 | OAKVILLE BEAVER | www.insideHALTON.com The Town of Oakville is calling on Enbridge Inc. to do more to prevent future oils spills along its Line 9 pipeline, which passes through Oakville. During Monday's Town council meeting, Ward 1 Town and Regional Councillor Alan Johnston brought forward a motion asking Enbridge to install additional isolation valves at each side of waterways the pipe crosses so if the pipe bursts and begins leaking oil into a body of water, like Sixteen Mile Creek, the flow of oil can be quickly terminated. At present the motion said only one remote-controlled isolation valve is in place in Halton. "I don't believe there are enough safety features involved in their line," said Johnston. "I request we support the installation of isolation valves at all water crossings and that we ask the Great Lakes and St. Lawrence Cities Initiative and the City of Burlington to bring forward this request at the hearings, which will be beginning shortly." Unanimously approved The motion, which council approved unanimously comes as Enbridge petitions the National Energy Board (NEB) to permit changes to its Line 9 pipeline. The 30-inch diameter pipeline currently transports crude oil from east to west from Montreal, Que to North Westover, Ont. Enbridge wants to reverse this flow, increase the capacity of the pipeline from its current level of 240,000 barrels per day to 300,000 barrels per day, and transport heavier crude products through this pipeline. The pipeline, which has been in place for nearly 40 years, crosses into Oakville in the area between Hwy. 407 and Lower Base Line and travels underneath Sixteen Mile Creek. Enbridge responds Enbridge representatives said many safety precautions are in place already. "Enbridge has isolation valves at all strategically/environmentally sensitive locations along our pipe- line (e.g., both sides of rivers, bottom of steep hills, wetlands and other eco-sensitive areas, high residential intensity areas, etc.)," said Michelle Wasylyshen, Enbridge Public Affairs Manager for Ontario. "The location of these valves is a result of consultations with the NEB, MOE (Ministry of the Environment) and local conservation authorities. "By 2016 we will have emergency back-up power for all remotely control valves in the event there is a spill when there is a power blackout." Other Halton valves She also said there are two isolation valves along the portion of the Line 9 pipeline that runs through Halton (both in Milton). A third isolation valve, she said, is just to the west of the Halton Region boundary in Hamilton. EnviCarpet Cleaning Specialists ronment Canada has said even a small oil spill can be disastrous with a single drop of oil rendering 25 litres of water undrinkable. The motion also called on the NEB to require the installation of isolation valves on pipes crossing waterways, regardless of whether they are classified as navigable, to provide enhanced environmental protection. Since 1952 G C Q . !L?? On The Spot! RESIDENTIAL & COMMERCIAL AREA RUGS PERSIAN & ORIENTAL WALL TO WALL FURNITURE & UPHOLSTERY Truck Mount In-Plant Service Water Damage Restoration See the transformation of what we can do in relation to others! VOTED BEST CARPET & RUG CLEANERS 13 YEARS IN A ROW! Drop-off Discount! 25% FREE 250 mL SPOTTING BOTTLE Your local Tim Hortons is happy to bring you Tim Hortons Free Swim Enjoy complimentary swimming time at your local pool. For a schedule of times drop by your Oakville Tim Hortons Restaurant or visit www.timhortons.com. www.onthespotcleaning.ca Bronte 905-825-4256 1446 WALLACE RD. OAKVILLE, ON QEW Speers Wallace CHANGE? WE GET IT. North East corner of Third Line & Rebecca southoakvillecentre.com