Negotiating with the Patch

[SW1-32-5-4]

East central Alberta usually never gets much attention from the rest of the province unless the issue is new or unusual. It was no surprise when TransCanada Keystone anounced last year their intention of building a 30 inch oil line from Hardisty to Burstall where the big pipes gather to supply the energy hungry east and south with oil and gas. Some of the first pipeline activity in the area dates back to 1958. At that time John Diefendbaker as Prime minister declared these pipes to be in the national interest of Canada. Land owners of the day received no compensation as the project was for the Nation. Fifty years later a new company called TransCanada Keystone has National Energy Board approval to build this oil line just a few yards over from the '58 line. This line however is not in national interest but is for American national security and for share holders interests. There is nothing wrong with all that. To counter the heavy handed tactics of the company land agents that try to acquire easements for next to nothing the landowners organized. Representing most of the effected land owners for this and other NEB lines is the newly formed Alberta Association of Pipeline Landowners. If any Albertan needs assistance or information on dealing with NEB regulated lines and the companies involved give them a call at 403 664 1170.