Lheidli T’enneh suing Enbridge over pipeline explosion

Feb 27, 2019 | 10:17 AM

PRINCE GEORGE — The Lheidli Tenneh First Nation is taking legal action in response to the Enbridge pipeline explosion near Shelley last fall. 

The First Nation has filed an injunction to have the pipeline shut down and removed immediately. 

The explosion forced the evacuation of dozens of area residents and disrupted the flow of natural gas to all of the Lower Mainland and into the United States for several months.

Enbridge responded to the lawsuit today by noting “it is not in the public interest to stop operating a critical piece of energy infrastructure that millions of people in B.C. and the U.S. Pacific Northwest rely on every day.”

The company also said safety remains its number one priority, adding following the incident it has been advancing a comprehensive safety and integrity review.

“This involves undertaking a rigorous inspection of every section of pipeline using sophisticated tools that detect potential problems. This comprehensive program also involves integrity digs and maintenance where necessary.”

Enbridge says it’s also cooperating with the Transportation Safety Board, the lead investigator for this incident and is committed to fostering a strengthened relationship with Indigenous communities, including the Lheidli T’enneh.

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