Canada unveils new rules for pipeline approvals

Canada's liberal government announced here on Wednesday new rules to assess pipelines and other resource-based projects, delaying decision making on some controversial projects.

The new rules will scrutinize major projects for greenhouse gas emissions and require consultation with Canada's indigenous people.

Two projects undergoing regulatory review will be subject to the new rules: Kinder Morgan Inc.'s planned Trans Mountain pipeline expansion which would triple shipping capacity, and TransCanada Corp.'s proposed Energy East pipeline which would extend 4,600 km from Alberta and pass through the French-speaking province of Quebec.

Both projects have been controversial, particularly Energy East. The mayor of Montreal spoke out last week against the project's presence in his province of Quebec, while the mayor of Calgary in oil-rich Alberta, countered with his support for it.

In light of the changes, the Canadian government extended its deadline to make a decision to December for Trans Mountain and nine additional months for Energy East.

Meanwhile, Conservative natural resources critic Candice Bergen planned to introduce a motion Thursday in the House of Commons calling on the House to "agree that pipelines are the safest way to transport oil ... and express its support for the Energy East pipeline currently under consideration." Endi