Energy East Pipeline- A Failure

Energy East Pipeline- A Failure

Extending from Western Canada, spanning across North Western United States, finally to Eastern Canada, the proposed Energy East pipeline was an oil pipeline. It was expected to convert about 3,000 kilometres of natural gas pipeline, carrying natural gas from Alberta to the Ontario-Quebec border, transforming to diluted bitumen transportation.

“The pipeline (was) predicted to add more than US$35 billion to‑Canada’s gross domestic product (GDP) over 40 years and reduce dependence on foreign oil. There had been opposition from environmental groups concerned about pollution and the focus on fossil fuels” (KPMC). They finally got their victory as last year on October 5, TransCanada, (the same company behind the Keystone XL pipeline fiasco in the United States), abandoned the project.

The decision is another big blow to oil pipeline companies. It is important to see how it would impact energy projects in the future.

Announcement of the project (Image Credits: New York Times)

Valley Light Extension

Valley Light Extension

Last year, I had written an article on the Edmonton Light Rail Transit. This post though would focus on the Valley Line extension, a future 27 km, low-floor urban light rail line in Edmonton, Alberta currently under construction. Continuing Alberta’s vision of sustainable transport framework, with the aim of expanding mobility and getting commuters and other travellers off the roads, this US$1.6 billion PPP-funded project will see a private sector contractor design, build, partially finance, supply light rail vehicles for, and operate and maintain the line. The public would fund US$355 million through both the government of Canada and the government of Alberta. Upon completion of the entire line (expected to be around 2020), the Valley Line is expected to serve more than 100,000 commuters daily.

The advantages of having such a system are:

·      Smaller-scale stops that are spaced closer together

·      Maximizing openness of space to create safe environments at stops and stations

·      Reducing vehicle and traffic speeds in congested areas to support safe, pedestrian-friendly communities

·      Investing in landscaping and architectural features to improve visual appeal and community integration

·      Require less infrastructure than the high-floor LRT (Transformingedmonton.ca)

A map of the proposed network (Image Credits: City of Edmonton)

Eglinton Crosstown Line

Eglinton Crosstown Line

Despite Canada’s enthusiasm for private finance, public authorities in Ontario are largely funding Toronto’s US$5.85 billion Eglinton Crosstown Light Rail Transit with public money. The province will issue green bonds to raise US$443 million from environmentally conscious private investors. Ontario will be the first government in Canada to use green bonds to fund public infrastructure. The partially underground 19 kilometre light rail line should make Toronto’s existing subway system more accessible to its growing population. Due to finish in

2020, it is the largest transit expansion in the history of Toronto.

The line has 25 stations and is expected to open in September 2021. It is also expected to connect the Toronto Pearson International Airport in the west and the University of Toronto Scarborough in the east. With Toronto’s increasing population, it is expected to reduce travel times by 60%. It is also considerable faster than any present form of transport present in Toronto.

Eglinton Crosstown LRT Map (Image Credits: Metrolinx)