Pembina pipeline project scheduled to start in June

The Town of Whitecourt is pleased with Pembina Pipeline Corporation’s recent announcement that it has received approval from the Alberta Energy Regulator (AER) to proceed with construction of the Fox Creek to Namao Pipelines.

The project, valued at $2 billion, involves the construction of two 270-kilometre pipelines between Fox Creek and Namao. It is the largest capital project in Pembina’s history. Construction of the pipelines is expected to generate 160 jobs to the local economy, and the economic benefit to our service industry is valued in the millions of dollars. Construction is scheduled to start mid-June with an in-service date anticipated in mid-2017.

Pembina Pipeline has committed to housing non-local workers and contractors in local hotels, and is not planning to develop a camp for project employees. This is fantastic news for the local hospitality industry as well as other businesses in our service sector.

“The impact this project will have on our community is substantial – not only in the short term during construction, but well into our future. It will ensure that resources from our region can reach processing facilities to meet current market needs, and will have the potential to be expanded as demand grows,” stated Whitecourt Mayor Maryann Chichak. “I’m also extremely pleased with Pembina Pipeline’s decision to support the hospitality industry to house workers. This decision alone will add hundreds of thousands of dollars to Whitecourt’s economy.”

Representatives from Pembina Pipeline will be discussing the Fox Creek to Namao project at the May 18 Business Support Network meeting. The meeting, which is free to attend, is scheduled from 11:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. at the Forest Interpretive Centre.  For more information on the Business Support Network visit www.whitecourtbsn.ca.