"Enbridge Inc says Line 9 not for oilsands, engaged"

Six Nations land protectors are clamoring to stop a growing web of oil infrastructure that's reaching into the Haldimand Tract where 30 year-old pipelines cross the Grand River.

Land protectors fear oilsands, which they say are more abrasive than standard crude oil, will cause pipe corrosion and oil spills on the Grand River. The Line 9 proposals will see the flow of pipelines reversed west to east for access to oil markets as far as Quebec and Maine.

But Enbridge Inc., the North American energy giant in charge of the pipes, says heavily regulated and refined oilsands are no more dangerous than standard crude oils. They also say Line 9, the piece of pipe crossing the Grand River, won't transport oilsands.

Enbridge business communications manager Graham White said in an email oilsands are refined into "dilbit" (diluted bitumen) before transport. "Oilsands, or bitumen have to be processed, upgraded, often diluted and tested for quality before they enter our pipelines."

He said in an email thickness, acidity, and sand content is monitored by both Enbridge and government regulations.

He said in 50 years of transport Enbridge has not seen oilsands cause more internal corrosion than crude oils.

"We have not observed dilbit or oilsands derived crude having any more of an effect on internal corrosion than other types of more conventional crude," his email said.

But, White added, Line 9, the piece of pipeline running from Sarnia to Westover crossing the Haldimand Tract south of Cambridge, won't even be transporting dilbit. "It is important to remember that the line (Line 9) will be transporting primarily light crude as per our application, not heavy products or dilbit."

But Land Protector Missy Elliot is not convinced. "Of course right now they could be saying that," she said.

Elliot says that Enbridge will have to go through another approval process to transport bitumen, and she predicts Enbridge will go after the approval once Line 9 is approved.

"They want to do it in phases so they don't have a big controversy on their hands."

Meanwhile Six Nations are calling Enbridge's claims to engagement false.

White states: "Engagement with Aboriginal communities is now underway and involves mail out of project information, telephone calls, open houses and in-person meetings. Specifics should come from the groups themselves."

But the Haudenosaunee Development Institute (HDI) and Band Council both say Enbridge has not consulted with them.

Both, the HDI and band council received a notification letter but no details.

Both HDI and band council said they do not consider that notification.