Gas shortage can affect Southern Ontario and parts of GTA: Experts

According to a ruling issued on Sept 27, the National Energy Board (NEB) ordered Trans-Northern Pipelines Inc. to decrease the flow of oil throughout its pipeline system by 10 percent.

The NEB in a news release explained their decision saying the order was made in response to a number of “pipeline releases and overpressure incidents that occurred in 2009 and 2010.” It further states that the order would remain in place while Trans-Northern Pipelines Inc. “implements a longer term solution.”

Dan McTeague, fuel expert however believes, the order would have a strong impact in the supply of gasoline in the interim period.

“There are a number of concerns that NEB has identified and it is not going to be a 7 or 10-day fix,” said McTeague. “Ultimately gas stations will see the effect. Some will close down for brief periods of time.”

The Trans-Northern Pipelines Inc. functions on a distribution of 915 kilometre pipeline that carries product from refineries in Montreal and Nanticoke, Ontario to destinations in both the GTA and Montreal.

However, according to McTeague the reduced flow of gasoline through the pipeline would not affect much of the prices at the pumps but would surely create a supply issue for local gas stations, with brief closures at some locations.

“You may have to go a little further from your favourite gas station,” he points out.

(Reporting by Debarati Mukherjee)