By The Canadian Press

Reaction to the National Energy Board’s approval of the Trans Mountain pipeline

May 19, 2016 | 5:22 PM

VANCOUVER — The National Energy Board has recommended that the federal government approve the contentious $6.8-billion Trans Mountain pipeline expansion with 157 conditions. The federal regulator issued its long-awaited report Thursday on the project after a two-year debate.

Here’s some reaction to the decision:

“We can’t build more pipelines and meet the international climate commitments that Canada agreed to in Paris. With more and more extreme weather events endangering communities, it’s clear that if we want to keep our communities safe we need to move beyond fossil fuels.” — Mike Hudema, climate and energy campaigner for Greenpeace.

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“This project is a big economic win for B.C. and for Canada. This project will bring construction, operations and other indirect jobs to B.C., while enabling our national oil resources to reach Asian markets.” — Maureen Kirkbride, interim CEO of the B.C. Chamber of Commerce.

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“This is exactly what we expected from the National Energy Board, an industry-captured regulator that never met a pipeline it didn’t like or environmental impact it couldn’t ignore.” — Larissa Stendie of the Sierra Club said in a statement.

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“The whole exercise was a colossal waste of time, energy and money for all involved. I fear it’s a sign of things to come with the NEB’s ongoing TransCanada Energy East pipeline hearings.” — Green Leader Elizabeth May.

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“Now, only Prime Minister Trudeau can stop Kinder Morgan when it goes to cabinet for final approval. The Liberal government better listen to British Columbians and reject what is a bad deal for our province.” — New Democrat MP Kennedy Stewart of Burnaby South.

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“Most noteworthy is the cavalier treatment of the most critical issue, which is the potential for bituminous oils to be cleaned up after a spill. We have maintained, based on the most credible of evidence, that conventional spill response technology will not be effective in the event of a spill of this particular group of products.” — Karen Wristen, executive director of Living Oceans.

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“This is fantastic news for thousands of out of work men and women in the oil patch, who are relying on new investments in the oil sector to create well-paying, high-quality jobs. Unfortunately the Liberals have already confirmed that they will delay the final approval of this pipeline.” — Conservative MP Candice Bergen, the party’s natural resources critic.

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The Canadian Press