The National Energy Board has recommended that the federal government approve the contentious $6.8-billion Trans Mountain pipeline expansion with 157 conditions.

The federal regulator has issued its long-awaited report on the project after a two-year debate that cost millions, galvanized aboriginal and environmental protests and prompted mass arrests.

A three-member review panel recommended Ottawa approve Kinder Morgan Canada’s proposal to triple the capacity of the pipeline, which carries crude from oilsands near Edmonton to Burnaby.

But Kinder Morgan will first have to address 157 engineering, safety, environmental and emergency preparedness conditions.

The positive recommendation has cleared a major hurdle for the project, with Prime Minister Justin Trudeau’s cabinet set to make a final decision by the end of the year.

There was fierce opposition to the project and the process throughout the energy board’s hearing, with the British Columbia government and cities of Vancouver and Burnaby opposing the expansion.

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VANCOUVER – Wilderness Committee is outraged but not surprised the National Energy Board (NEB) approved the Kinder Morgan pipeline today despite overwhelming opposition in British Columbia.

“I shouldn’t be surprised, but this is an outrageous decision. The NEB has ignored and wasted the time of countless communities, First Nations and individuals who have stood up to oppose this irresponsible pipeline proposal,” said Peter McCartney, Climate Campaigner with the Wilderness Committee. “Kinder Morgan’s project has no social licence and this pipeline will not be built.”

Widespread criticism of flaws in the NEB process meant the decision was a foregone conclusion.

“Nobody had much hope the NEB would act in the public interest and reject this project,” said McCartney. “Now the ball is in Trudeau’s court to do the right thing — protect our coast and our climate.”