The Majority of Canadians Believe Pipelines Are Safe

With the news that TransCanada has cancelled its Energy East Pipeline project, it’s commonly understood that TransCanada’s hand was forced to make this decision.

Too much government regulation and red-tape acting as a road-block makes the project economically non-viable for the pipeline development company. In the wake of this decision are many lost jobs for Canadians, loss of a cross-Canada oil distribution and refinement infrastructure, and a continued stall for one of Canada’s most important industries.

Aside from the political viewpoints on pipeline development, a common view among Canadians persists:
The majority of Canadians believe pipelines are safe as a transportation system.

A 2016 research study conducted by CTV News/Nanos Research offers the following results:

Yes, pipelines are considered by Canadians to be the safest mode of crude and refined petroleum transportation. But even with this sentiment, our governments aren’t enabling pipeline development that will create jobs and stimulate economic conditions across Canada. Instead pipeline building is taking the brunt of climate change criticism. It is a tug-of-war between Canadians’ two biggest concerns — stimulating the economy (number one) and protecting the environment (number two).

Despite a desire for renewable energy solutions to work, the reality is that the forms of renewable energy available to us (wind, solar, hydro) are intermittent — meaning that they don’t provide a consistent source of energy. Aside from nuclear energy, right now the only source of power that allows for a constant and powerful energy is fossil fuels.
source: moralcaseforfossilfuels.com

The news of TransCanada’s decision to halt the Energy East project is difficult for many Canadians to accept. More than ever, it is time to rally and promote the safety of pipelines compared to other methods of oil transportation.

Pipeline Safety Insight – Consider The Following:

• Petroleum products and crude oil distributed by pipelines safely reach its destination more than 99.999% of the time.
• Pipeline companies actively ensure that safety, security, environmental and health concerns are addressed throughout the planning, construction & operational phases of pipeline operations.
• Pipeline companies spend millions of dollars researching new inspection & maintenance technologies.
• Pipeline companies spend billions on safety programs and procedures each year.

source: pipeline101.org

As a first-world country, Canada owes its progress to readily available energy. People around the world want to live here because of our prosperity and the opportunities this country provides. The continued stall of pipeline development only lessens this position we appear to hold so frivolously.