According to BBC, The Canadian government has approved the construction of the oil pipeline running from Alberta to a new port on the coast of British Columbia, from where it would be transported to Asian markets by oil tankers.
The Northern Gateway project would transfer about 500,000 barrels of oil-bearing bitumen a day.
The new pipeline will enable Canada to diversify its energy exports. The Alberta oil sands are the third-largest proven crude oil reserve in the world.
Meanwhile, environmentalists fear that the pipeline would make the province vulnerable to an oil spill, damaging the rugged and scenic coastline. It is believed that the opponents will challenge the government’s decision in court.
Previously, the U.S. declined a decision on another pipeline that was proposed to move Alberta bitumen to refineries along the US Gulf Coast.