http://www.canada.com/montreal/montrealgazette/news/business/story.html?id=9 d865cae-e377-4e56-918c-ede53dd15af6 Ultramar plans 250-km pipeline Quebec City to Montreal. Needs approval from governments, citizens ALLAN SWIFT CP, Tuesday, February 15, 2005 Oil company Ultramar Ltd. said yesterday it has plans to build a $200-million pipeline from its refinery near Quebec City to its distribution terminal in Montreal. The company said it will submit its proposal for approval from municipal, provincial and federal authorities for the pipeline it said would create 2,000 direct and indirect jobs during the construction period and 12 permanent jobs once in operation. Ultramar also has to get the approval of residents who live within the possible corridors. The previously floated idea has already raised concerns among residents along the proposed pipeline route on the south shore of the St. Lawrence River. Currently, the refinery's products - like gasoline - are transported to Montreal by Canadian National Railway, as well as by ships and trucks. If the project gets all required approvals, construction of the 250-kilometre pipeline could start in late summer 2007 and come on stream at the end of 2008, the company said. Ultramar president Jean Bernier said higher demand for refined petroleum products over the last few years and a projected increase in the near future translate into larger volumes between its refinery in Levis, near Quebec City, and the Montreal East terminal. "We want to inform residents as well as their elected representatives about our project and obtain their comments on the alternatives under consideration," Bernier said. "Their observations, as well as the various environmental studies that we will be conducting, will allow us to determine the best route as well as its overall feasibility." Bernier said Ultramar would continue to use trains, trucks and ships along with the pipeline. "Unlike the other means of transportation, the pipeline has the advantage of not being exposed to weather conditions, particularly in winter when demand is high." Ultramar Ltd., a subsidiary of Valero Energy Corp. of San Antonio, Tex., owns and operates the Levis refinery with a production capacity of 215,000 barrels of oil per day. It markets gasoline and diesel fuel through a network of about 1,000 retail outlets and sells heating oil to about 155,000 customers. Ultramar, headquartered in Montreal, employs more than 3,500 people. Last year, it announced investments of $650 million in the Levis refinery to reduce sulphur emissions from gasoline and diesel. -- No virus found in this outgoing message. Checked by AVG Anti-Virus. Version: 7.0.300 / Virus Database: 265.8.8 - Release Date: 2/14/2005
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