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Enbridge’s Line 9

Enbridge’s Line 9

Built in 1975, Enbridge’s Line 9 pipeline stretches 639km from Sarnia, Ontario to Montreal, Quebec (map).

Major urban centres along the pipeline’s path include the cities of Hamilton, Mississauga, Toronto and Kingston.  In Toronto the pipeline roughly follows Finch.  In Hamilton, the pipeline passes through several wetlands including the picturesque Beverly Swamp. (article)

Around 2013, a proposal was made to reverse the flow of Line 9 – a light oil pipeline – and to boost its capacity 25% to 300,000 barrels from 240,000 barrels per day.  The company said the reason was to respond to requests from Eastern Canadian refineries (owned by Suncor Energy Inc. and Ultramar Ltd.)  looking for access to cheaper crude from Alberta and the North Dakota, USA’s Bakken region.  Environmentalists feared that Enbridge would start to transport bitumen from Alberta’s oil sands.  Bitumen is a heavier product which must transport under greater pressure.  Leaks were forecast due to the aging infrastructure of the pipeline.

Bitumen reacts differently in water than conventional crude oil due to its chemical attributes. Bitumen is a solid at room temperature, and so it is mixed with a natural gas condensate to decrease its viscosity. When the Enbridge pipeline burst in 2010 spilling bitumen into the Kalamazoo River, the bitumen sank to the bottom of the river, while the light-weight gas evaporated in the air.  The oil was hard to clean up (in fact is still being cleaned up in 2013) and the air was polluted by toxins.

Line 9 runs across southern Ontario, the most populated part of the province.

Update:  The Ontario portion of the reversal was granted bringing western crude to Imperial Oil Ltd.’s refinery at Nanticoke (December 2015)

Overview video – Line 9: The Tar Sands Come to Ontario (vimeo) /  Toronto Star maps/coverage

 Enbridge’s Line 9 News

Date	Source	Title	Comment
2018-11-13	National Observer	Guess where Quebec gets its oil	Carl Meyer AO Info O&G Quebec
2015-12-29	Intercontinentalcry.org	Enbridge and the Takeover of Red Lake Land	Robert Desjarlait
2015-12-12	EarthFirstJournal.org	The Cat is Out of the Bag: Shutting Down Pipelines Is Way Easier Than Anyone Thought	anonymous
2015-12-07	Comment	Activists shut down Line 9.  Company reports shutdown as a “precautionary measure”.	(source)
2015-12-03	Comment	Line 9 transported crude to Montreal refinery.	(source)
2015-08-20	National Observer	Enbridge Line 9 changing hands	Fram Dinshaw - Louisette Lanteigne
2015-05-22	Huffington Post	This Aging Oil Pipeline Is In Great Lakes' 'Worst Possible Place' For A Spill	Enbridge Line 5
2015-02-17	Rabble.ca	Water issues may be the key to stopping Enbridge’s Line 9, say activists	Steve Cornwell
2015-02-06	Globe and Mail	NEB approves Enbridge’s Line 9 reversal with revised safety plan	Shawn McCarthy and Jeff Lewis
2014-10-08	Environmental Defence	Line 9 reversal halted due to danger to rivers and lakes	Adam Scott - lacking emergency shut-off valves on both sides of major water crossings
2014-03	Comment:	NEB approves Enbridge’s application to reverse flow through Line 9B (639km from North Weston, ON to Montreal)	(article)
2014-03-06	Vice.com	Line 9’s approval puts millions of people at risk	Michael Toledano
2014-03-05	Toronto Star	Spike in crude oil trains rumbling through heart of Toronto raises concerns	Jessica McDiarmid AO Rail News
2014-02-23	Toronto Star	Enbridge Line 9: W5uncovers unreported spills, alarming communities along 830-km pipe	Jessica McDiarmid, Annie Burns-Pieper
2014-01-30	Thespec.com	Mississauga home to riskiest spot on aging Line 9	Jessica McDiarmid
2014-01-24	Toronto Star	Enbridge ramps up repairs on controversial Line 9 pipeline	Jessica McDiarmid
2014-01-22	Toronto Star	Ontario pipeline expansion is quietly approved	Jessica McDiarmid - Line 7
2014-01-22	CBC	Lawsuit moves to reopen line 9 pipeline NEB hearings	Adam Carter - Clayton Ruby
2014-01-21	CBC	Enbridge launches hundreds of digs for cracks in Line 9	Adam Carter
2014-01-16	CBC	The local Enbridge pipeline expansion you don’t know about	Adam Carter - Line 7
2014-01-07	Swamp Line 9 Blog	Blog:  Trish’s Statement to the Court	Trish
2013-12-14	Toronto Star	Is Bakken oil safe enough for the GTA?	Jessica McDiarmid
2013-12-04	Vice.com	Activists Shut Down a Line 9 Construction Site in Toronto	Michael Toledano
2013-11-26	Vice.com	Which Parts of Toronto Are Being Put at Risk by Enbridge’s Line 9?	Michael Toledano
2013-10-23	Toronto Star	Enbridge ordered to make final pipeline argument in writing	Jessica McDiarmid
2013-10-23	EcoWatch / DeSmog Canada	Hundreds Protest Tar Sands Pipeline as Expert Warns of 90 Percent Probability of Line 9 Rupture	Derek Leahy
2013-10-22	Maclean’s / Canadian Business	Would Enbridge’s Line 9 really save Quebec refineries $23 billion?	Andrew Leach
2013-10-20	Toronto Star	Hundreds protest after energy board cancels pipeline hearing amid ‘security’ concerns	Jessica McDiarmid
2013-10-19	CBC News Toronto	Line 9 pipeline hearing postponed after protests
2013-10-19	CBC News Toronto	Line 9 hearings by National Energy Board overtaken by protest
2013-10-18	Toronto Star	Toronto criticizes Enbridge ‘one-size-fits-all’ emergency plans for pipeline	Jessica McDiarmid
2013-10-18	Environmental Defence	Governments raise concerns about risks of Line 9
2013-10-16	Environmental Defence	Stop Line 9 – Have your say! – Tar Sands	Protester action items
2013-10-15	EcoWatch / National Wildlife Federation	First-Ever Footage of Aging Tar Sands Pipelines Beneath Great Lakes	Straits of Mackinac pipelines, owned by Enbridge Energy, are 60-years-old
2013-10-03	Toronto Star	Toronto environment groups want cleanup plans should Line 9B rupture	Jessica McDiarmid
2013-09-25	Alternatives Journal	Climate Change Containment Unit on Site at Enbridge Oil Spill Drill	Laura McDonald - North Dumfries where Line 9 crosses the Grand River
2013-09-24	Brantford Expositor	Exercise simulates pipeline spill	Michael-Allan Marion - Brant County
2013-08-23	Hamilton Spectator	Enbridge plans major oil pipeline work in Hamilton	Matthew Van Dongen
2013-08-23	Huffington Post	The Risky Enbridge Pipeline That Will Hurt Ontario	Mike Schreiner, Leader, Green Party of Ontario (letter to National Energy Board)
2013-08-22	Thespec.com	Enbridge plans major oil pipeline work in Hamilton	Matthew Van Dongen - Line 9 feeds: Lines 10/11 - Line 10 Westover to NY - Line 11 Westover to Imperial Oil refinery, Nanticoke
2013-08-21	Thespec.com	Burlington has concerns with Line 9 reversal plan
2013-08-16	Thespec.com	Protesters irked by treatment at courthouse	Molly Hayes
2013-06-25	Inside Halton	Residents fear Line 9 leak would harm the creek	David Lea Oakville
2013-07-24	Thespec.com	Enbridge missing two key permits for Westover site	Joan Walters
2013-07-01	Change.org	Petition:  Ontario Citizens Demand an Environmental Assessment of Enbridge’s proposed Line 9 Reversal	Gerry Dunn
2013-06-24	Thespec.com	Critics of pipeline proposal are multiplying
2013-06-20	CTV News Toronto	Protesters shut down Enbridge pumping station near Hamilton
2013-06-03	Inside Climate News	Map: Another Major Tar Sands Pipeline Seeking U.S. Permit	Lisa Song Enbridge looking to expand in USA, greater capacity than Keystone XL
2013-05-29	Financial Post	‘No economic development possible in Quebec’ if Enbridge’s Line 9 plan crushed, business lobby says	Nicolas Van Praet
2013-05-22	Financial Post	Pipeline plan to send crude from Montreal to Maine raises ire in New England	Yadullah Hussain
2013-05-05	Environmental Defence	New undemocratic rules create barrier to public participation in upcoming pipeline hearings: a consequence of weakened federal environmental laws under Bill C‑38
2013-05-03	CBC News	Sarah Harmer among dozens speaking against Enbridge pipeline	Samantha Craggs
2013-04-26	Financial Post	Enbridge’s Line 9 pipeline reversal plan runs up against skeptical public	Nicolas van Praet
2013-04-21	Financial Post	Enbridge’s Line 9 pipeline fuels climate of suspicion in Quebec	Nicolas van Praet
2013-04-05	Environmental Defence	New undemocratic rules create barrier to public participation in upcoming pipeline hearings: a consequence of weakened federal environmental laws under Bill C-38
2013-04-03	Alexander Knight	Video:  Oil: Enbridge Line 9 exposed in the Rouge River, Markham (4mins)
2013-04-01	The Peak	Line 9	Vol. 52 Issue 4
2013-03-25	Financial Post	Ontario Municipalities raise oil spill concerns on Enbridge pipeline reversal	Jeff Lewis map
2013-02-22	Toronto Star	Toronto council eyes Enbridge proposal for Toronto oil sands pipeline	John Spears
2013-02-04	Environmental Defence	Communities join together to say No to tar sands pipelines	Sabrina Bowman
2013-01-23	Rabble.ca	Ethical Enbridge? The real story of Line 9 and the tar sands giga-project	Dave Vasey, Sakura Saunders, Sonia Grant
2013-01-21	Alternatives Journal	Blocking the arteries of the tar sands	Paisley Cozzarin
2013-01-08	Youtube / Rachel Deutsch	Line 9: The Tar Sands Come to Ontario (13mins)	Vimeo
2013-01-01	Hamilton Line 9 Wordpress	Against the Reversal: Two articles	blog
2012-11-23	Rabble News	Stopping Line 9: Toronto conference lays basis for mass challenge to tar sands pipeline	John Riddell
12-10-04	Knowing the Land is Resistance	Reportback-Stop the Flows: No Line 9 Reversal
12-09-12	Rabble News	Stopping Line 9: Communities mobilize for Ontario’s tar sands battle	Dave Vasey
12-06-01	Natural Resources Defense Council (NRDC)	Report: Going in Reverse:  The Tar Sands Threat to Central Canada and New England	See how Line 9 impacts the Niagara Escarpment and southern Ontario

Key Contacts

It took a while for a solid grassroots movement to appear from the individual actions springing up across communities.  However, it is happening.  Communities are coming together to create a blanket resistance.  Contact any of the following for more information:

Environmental Defence	www.line9.ca
Swamp Line 9 – Westover near Hamilton	http://swampline9.tumblr.com/
	Hamiltonline9@ecologyfund.net
No Line 9 organizing committee	www.t.grupoapoyo.org / boliviaclimatejustice@gmail.com
Stop Line 9 Toronto	http://www.stopline9-toronto.ca/
Facebook	Search “Line 9”

Other Information

http://oilsandstruth.org/

“Enbridge strives for zero spills, but when it comes to pipeline safety, the company has an oil-splattered record.  According to Enbridge’s own data, between 1999 and 2010, the company had 804 spills, releasing 6.8 million gallons of hydrocarbons.”

Richard Girard and Tanya Roberts Davis (report pg 15)

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Disclaimer: This information has been compiled through private amateur research for the purpose of allowing the reader to make an informed and educated decision.  However, while the information is believed to be reliable, accuracy cannot be guaranteed.

APPENDICES

APPENDIX A

https://awareontario.nfshost.com/AWARE-Ontario/Issues/Oilgas_Pipelines/OG_Enbridge/OG_Line_9/Enbridge%20Line%209%20Overview.htm

APPENDIX B

Comments Found Online:

19-Oct-2013 Louisette Lulu Lanteigne (article)

As a DELEGATE I witnessed the following:

Enbridge only studied the pumping station areas, not the total pipeline for the permit application to reverse flow in spite of the fact it will change fluids, change pressure and change the function of the pipe.

The FULL length of Iine 9 has stress fractures. Many of which would rupture under 700psi (pounds per square inch) of pressure. Enbridge is seeking a permit to increase the line to 750-100 psi which would guarantee ruptures. The source of all data: ENBRIDGE's own studies.

When asked if they will do hydrostastic testing, Enbridge stated no they could damage the pipes but they're willing to switch to BITUMEN without RE-TESTING the pipe with water.

Enbridge admitted in WRITING that they never reviewed any treaty regarding Line 9 even though it crosses over 18 First Nations territories/

There was NEVER aboriginal consultation appointed by the crown with any of these tribes.

The NEB approved Line 9 and the approved reversal from Sarnia to Westover which was a violation of CHARTER RIGHTS, TREATY RIGHTS and International Law! They violated the Simcoe treaty that was written by King George.

19-Oct-2013 Louisette Lulu Lanteigne (article)

The pipeline has a SPILLS response system with a 6 hour window for Enbridge to shut off a manual valve. Even with the valve closed, it is still 12 miles long before they hit the other valve and whatever fluid that is in the remaining pipe, leaks out!

1 Billion insurance won't do much if the spill happens in Toronto around Finch Street where houses are at least 1 million each and the pipe crosses by York University and the Finch Subway. It even goes under a fire department and the workers there didn't even know there was a pipeline under them.

Land owners have leaks but Enbridge isn't fixing it up! Land owners have liability if it flows from their property to their neighbours.

Enbridge Line 9 in it's current form is 38 years old. It crosses 12 tributaries in a 7 mile area in Whitby. Water systems like the Grand RIver are now exempt where Line 9 crosses because of the Omnibus bill Harper passed. 90% of protected rivers lost their status and no longer require shut off valves.

19-Oct-2013 Louisette Lulu Lanteigne (article)

Spills legally mean an incident that starts and stops. Leaks continue on. Enbridge has a spills response system but not a leaks monitoring system. They admitted they don't have the ability at this time to detect pin hole leaks.

19-Oct-2013 Rick Munroe (article)

I just learned that the NEB has postponed Enbridge's final argument which was scheduled for today (Saturday). This is unfortunate because (as an Intervenor) I had hoped that Enbridge would respond to a few requests for information/clarification/correction.

Enbridge could also use its Final Argument to explain a few other details to the NEB and the general public, for example:

- why Enbridge/IPL did not keep its promise in May 1975 that "the wall thickness of all pipe under watercourses flowing into the Great Lakes and the St. Lawrence Seaway would be increased to 0.500 inches. Also, ... that motorized block valves would be installed on each river bank" (p. 27).

- why Enbridge selected such thin-walled pipe (0.250") for its 30" pipelines in Michigan and Ontario (Standard wall thickness for 30" diameter pipe is 50% thicker, 0.375").

- why it did not share its Emergency Response Plan with Toronto Fire.

- why it did not regularly (if ever) inform the Transit Workers Union of the presence of Line 9 at Finch Subway, the risks that this could present to TTC workers and riders, or how staff might manage the sudden discharge of flammable liquids and explosive vapours into their subway.

- why it did not provide comment/express concern to City planners regarding the proposed intensification of the Fountainhead complex, which already has enough risks.

- why its pipeline marker next to Emery Collegiate is barely visible, and why there is an absence of visible Enbridge markers at a Scarborough geriatric facility. These are vulnerable locations which warrant especially close monitoring by pipeline companies.