The OPI has received intervenor status for the National Energy Board’s hearing on the TransCanada Pipelines application for the conversion and extension of their Energy Eat Pipeline from natural gas to oil for transport from Alberta. Trans-Canada Pipeline’s application calls for a 4,500-kilometre pipeline to carry 1.1-million barrels of crude oil per day from Alberta and Saskatchewan to refineries in Eastern Canada most notably to the Irving Refinery in Saint John, New Brunswick. The pipeline will, potentially, have a direct effect on Ontario production by opening up an alternative market for producers.

Further, in its application to intervene the OPI stated that the Energy East Pipeline Project will ensure that oil produced in Canada is available for the economic benefit of all Canadians, reduces the need for importing oil and provides market access for the sale of oil to the world market. The Energy East Pipeline route can be viewed at: Energy East Piepline Route