LLI GOLINE/NORMAN WELLS - The Rainbow Pipeline, which is connected to the Enbridge pipeline out of Norman Wells, likely won't be operational again until August or September, according to Mayor Dudley Johnson.

"I've got my fingers crossed, toes crossed and so on," Johnson said of the waiting game the town has been forced to play. "Right now we're stowing gas. We've got our fingers crossed that the weather stays warm."

Dwindling natural gas reserves in the town are expected to last until July 5, at which time they will have to switch to propane.

Johnson estimates the 60,000 litres of propane they have on hand would last two weeks, although that time span could be shorter depending on temperatures.

If needed, another 57,000 litres of propane is ready to be barged down the Mackenzie River from Inuvik.

That can only be a short-term solution for the more than 840 residents in the town, though, as propane can't run through their system when cold weather returns.

To date, the closure of the Rainbow Pipeline, which leaked an estimated 28,000 barrels of oil

approximately 100 km northeast of Peace River, Alta., in late April, has cost Norman Wells $400,000, according to Johnson, and he estimates the price tag will double before a solution is in place.

"It's a big financial strain on the town. It's costing the town dollars, and a lot of dollars." he said. "We're in a waiting mode to see what's going to happen."

The town is planning on submitting a request to the GNWT for funding. Johnson said they're optimistic the government will respond positively.

In addition, Johnson participated in a conference call with Western Arctic MP Dennis Bevington and parliamentary secretary Dave Anderson to seek federal funding.

Norman Wells has been in a declared state of emergency since May 6, following a leak in the Rainbow Pipeline on April 29.

On May 20 clean-up crews were evacuated from the site of the spill, lengthening the amount of time it would take to get the 44-year-old pipeline back up and running.

The gas system in Norman Wells is used for home heating, cooking appliances, hot water and dryers.

- with files from

Chris Puglia

We welcome your opinions. Click here to e-mail a letter to the editor.