There are promising signs for those hoping that a proposed west-east pipeline from Alberta to New Brunswick becomes a reality.
Calgary-based TransCanada Corp. won't confirm whether the massive Energy East project is going forward, but in recent weeks the company has been surveying in the upper St. John River Valley, planning for the pipeline project and working on designs for its route and construction.
Under the proposal, TransCanada would convert roughly 3,000 kilometres of existing natural gas pipeline to carry crude into Quebec, with the possibility of the 1,400-kilometre extension to Saint John, N.B.
Tuesday marked the end of the so-called open season for the project -- a window for suppliers to sign long-term promises to use the pipeline.
In a statement, TransCanada said it is encouraged by the number of bid submissions and continues to feel positive about the prospects of Energy East moving forward.
However, TransCanada did not go so far as to say the project had received the green light.
Still, that wasn't stopping some local groups from planning as though it was.
"Serious people are taking this seriously," said Andrew Dawson, who represents thousands of unionized trades workers as vide-president of the Atlantic Canada Regional Council of Carpenters, Millwrights and Allied Workers.
He said a lot of work is going on behind the scenes in anticipation of the pipeline being approved to carry Alberta crude to Atlantic Canada.
"We're in discussions over project labour supply and what that agreement would look like, so the people who need to spend money and invest in this project are doing it," he said.
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In Halifax, federal Natural Resources Minister Joe Oliver was asked about the preparations TransCanada is already making in New Brunswick.
"They have the right to look ahead and see what the potential route might be and that is what I understand they are doing," said Oliver.
David Coon, leader of the New Brunswick Green Party, questioned why there has apparently been so little opposition to the pipeline which he said could have massive economic consequences.
"It's almost like the government and the supporters of this pipeline project have brought a chill on this province in terms of any discussion about this pipeline," Coon said. .
If TransCanada gives the official green light to Energy East, the company will have to apply for environmental and regulatory approval to build the line.
The pipeline could begin shipping as much as 850,000 barrels of oil per day in late 2017.
