The Canadian government has conditionally approved a controversial pipeline that would carry crude oil from Alberta’s tar sands. The Enbridge corporation’s Northern Gateway pipeline project would bring tar sands oil to Canada’s West Coast. The project has sparked protests for its carbon-intensive extraction and proposed route through sensitive environmental areas and indigenous land. It’s seen as the main backup option should President Obama reject another tar sands pipeline, the Keystone XL. On Tuesday, the office of Canadian Prime Minister Stephen Harper said the pipeline could go ahead if it meets more than 200 conditions. But none of Harper’s conditions include preventing a negative impact on climate change. Opponents say they plan to increase protests against the pipeline and organize a provincial referendum to put the project to popular vote.