Resource Environmental Solutions awards ecological offsets for Keystone Pipeline

Resource Environmental Solutions (RES) has awarded ecological offsets to TransCanada Keystone for the proposed Keystone Pipeline Gulf Coast Project in the US.

The award is expected to support the company’s initiative to secure permits for construction of the pipeline in Lamar, Delta, Hopkins, Franklin, and Wood Counties, Texas.

Bottomland hardwood mitigation credits for the project were supplied by RES Brooks Creek Mitigation Bank.

The mitigation credits are being taken up by TransCanada Keystone to offset unavoidable project-related impacts.

The permitting process will be in line with US Army Corps of Engineers and US Environmental Protection Agency guidelines. Both the agencies jointly administer the Section 404 permitting programme of the Clean Water Act.

Resource Environmental Solutions CEO Elliott Bouillion said the company’s past record has shown its capability in supporting the responsible balance of economic development and ecological stewardship.

"A ready supply of ecological offsets enables prompt permit processing by regulatory agencies, and proactive compliance by the developers seeking project permits," said Bouillion.

"RES is delighted to be well-positioned to support oil and gas and infrastructure development in Texas and elsewhere nationally."

RES said that the Brooks Creek Mitigation Bank was developed to supply mitigation credits to support oil and gas development activities occurring in East Texas.