Canada's Mackenzie pipeline 'never closer'

According to the Calgary Herald, Canada's Environment Minister, Jim Prentice, told the Herald's editorial board that he expects the groundwork for the long-delayed Mackenzie Valley natural gas pipeline project to be complete by next spring. The panel set up to evaluate the socioeconomic and environmental impact of the pipeline should be able to wrap up its work by December, and that will set in motion the major permit processes. Prentice acknowledged that the process has been delayed too often, "As you know, [the evaluation panel is] several years late." But, he's optimistic of the progress, " ... we've never been closer to having the regulatory and environmental part finished in 40 years." The project was first conceived in the 1970's, but was shelved in 1977. Read more here.