Residents in the Cold Lake region are pushing for an independent environmental review of the Pathways carbon capture project, a proposed 650 km CO2 pipeline and storage hub in northern Alberta. At a Nov. 5 information session in Bonnyville, locals asked about pipeline safety, storage risks, and why the project has not undergone a formal environmental impact assessment. Pathways, an initiative of five major oilsands companies, aims to move about six million tonnes of CO2 per year by the mid-2030s. The project is tied to a federal and provincial agreement that sets a 2032 pipeline deadline and links completion to the proposed Pacific Link export pipeline. First Nations have filed legal challenges over water, Treaty rights, and health impacts. Proponents say the project will bring economic benefits and that soil and water effects will be evaluated before construction. Residents say independent review should come before approval, not after.
