Dozens of people attended a public meeting in Kemptville Tuesday evening on the proposed multi-billion dollar Energy East pipeline.

If approved, the $12 billion pipeline would travel across the Rideau River and through parts of Ottawa's West and South end and surrounding communities, transporting more than one million barrels of crude per day.

The open house in Kemptville gave TransCanada, the energy firm behind the project, a chance to promote its plan, and hear from the public.

Opponents are concerned that a potential oil spill could spell disaster for the area, contaminating water and air quality.

“I live on a well system, that if any oil gets in there, I lose water, and that’s just not good news for anyone,” said Ken Delebber, who lives near Kemptville.

TransCanada spokesperson Tim Duboyce says he is “confident we're putting everything in place to make (a leak) so unlikely, that people should not worry about that. We are doing everything we can do operate our pipelines safely.”

Opposition groups were also at the open house meeting, including representatives from Ecology Ottawa, who want the pipeline scrapped.

“This pipeline is all about expansion of the tar sands in Alberta, while we're in a period where we have no federal climate change action or mitigation plan,” said Ben Powless with Ecology Ottawa.

Proponents also had their say, pointing to job creation and less dependency on foreign oil if the pipeline goes ahead.

“The amount of work it will be for my members and for the economy here in Eastern Ontario is going to be awesome,” said Mike Reid with the Local 71 Plumbers Pipefitters Union.

The open house comes after company documents were leaked outlining aggressive public relations tactics recommended by a prominent PR firm working with TransCanada.

“There are various aspects of those recommendations that we rejected, like for example launching personal attacks on opponents to Energy East is not part of our plan,” said Duboyce.

If approved, the pipeline would be the longest and largest oil pipeline in North America.