加拿大國家能源委員會稱Mackenzie天然氣項目將會維護公眾利益

In a letter to the proponents, released today, the Board said that the project is still in the public interest and that the original conditions attached to the project will require that it be designed, constructed and operated in a way that is safe and protects the environment. The Board went on to say that the extension would allow natural gas markets the opportunity to recover and preserve potential future economic opportunities for Northerners.

Imperial Oil Resources Ventures Limited, applied to the Board to extend the sunset clauses on August 20, 2015. On November 9, 2015, the Board extended the sunset clauses to September 30, 2016 so the Board could consider the application. As a result of devolution, the Government of the Northwest Territories Regulator of Oil and Gas Operations (OROGO) assumed responsibility for regulating onshore oil and gas activities in the NWT, outside of the Inuvialuit Settlement Region, and now regulates a portion of the Mackenzie Gathering System.

The Board and OROGO coordinated their respective reviews and invited the public to submit their comments on the requested extensions in November, 2015. The Board received comments from 14 groups and individuals, mostly in support of the application. Four of the parties opposed the extension.