- Enbridge's (NYSE:ENB) proposed $6.5B Northern Gateway oil sands pipeline project is approved with conditions by Canada's National Energy Board.
- Among the 209 conditions attached to the recommendation is for ENB to develop a marine mammal protection plan and conduct emergency response exercises.
- ENB must now seek approval from the federal government, which has 180 days to review the project that would deliver crude from Alberta to the Pacific Coast.
- The endorsement could set the tone for other strategic pipelines in Canada's regulatory queue, including ENB's Line 9 reversal, Kinder Morgan’s (KMI, KMP) expansion of its TransMountain line, and TransCanada’s (NYSE:TRP) Energy East project.