It was a sold out show, with 450 people gathering at the Martha Cohen Theatre in Calgary, Alberta, to celebrate the 19th Annual Emerald Awards. Ian Anderson, president of Kinder Morgan Canada, attended the event and accepted one of the three Alberta Emerald Awards in the business category.
The Alberta Emerald Foundation, a non-partisan organization supported by government and business, distributes the awards annually to organizations and individuals who demonstrate leading and tangible benefits to environmental stewardship and sustainability. There were over 100 nominated companies and projects in total and six finalists in the business category. Kinder Morgan Canada received its award for the Anchor Loop project.
TERA Environmental, the lead environmental consultant on the project, nominated us for the award. "We didn't put this project forward," said Ian. "Our contractor did. They wanted the public to know that we built a new pipe in a pristine, rugged environment in a way and with a passion and commitment that stood up to and exceeded the toughest environmental standards and regulation."
Typical winners of these awards are new technology breakthroughs, grassroots land use or water course management, emerging energy generation technologies and public education programs. Not pipeline projects that move land, cut tress and cross rivers. That is how profound the Anchor Loop project was!
As part of his acceptance speech, Ian gratefully acknowledged the project team led by Greg Toth. "I have long talked about the legacy that this project is and the standard we have set for environmental stewardship and responsibility. The ante in the high-stakes game of pipe on pipe competition is a sound operational, safety and environmental record, and you can't play successfully without it. Well my friends, we have it in spades thanks to your tireless efforts and commitment. Thank you."
