BC formally opposes Trans Mountain expansion

VANCOUVER (NEWS 1130) – The province is formally opposing Kinder Morgan’s plan to expand the Trans Mountain oil pipeline because of concerns over the company’s ability to respond to a spill.

This message is being sent to the company in the form of a written submission to the National Energy Board, which decides whether major projects go ahead.

But this isn’t the end of the road for the project.

While Environment Minister Mary Polak says the province doesn’t feel Kinder Morgan has convincingly made its case that it can respond to a significant spill, the door is very much open for the expansion to go ahead.

“They know what conditions they have to meet. We’re hopeful that as work continues, we’ll be able to better define that… for companies in so far as the gaps that need to be filled.”

She says the conditions are the basis for defending BC’s interests for the environment, First Nations and benefits to the province.

“We have re-affirmed that in this submission and we have said that in so far as the evidence for the NEB, we have not seen evidence to convince us that at this time, those five conditions have been met.”

It’s important to note that while the province has made this statement opposing the project as it stands, it is the Ottawa-based National Energy Board which has the final say on whether the pipeline expansion happens.

The $6.8-billion project is a proposal to twin the company’s existing pipeline, which runs from Alberta to its terminal in Burnaby.

Before this, the City of Burnaby has formally opposed the expansion, and environmentalists are concerned about an estimated seven-fold increase in tanker traffic on the coast.

Trans Mountain confident it will satisfy BC’s conditions

Kinder Morgan says it is committed to meeting BC’s conditions, adding it believes much progress has been made. It has issued a statement saying it is confident it will be able to satisfy those conditions “by the time the regulatory process is complete.”

“The Province’s 5 Conditions include several requirements that Trans Mountain alone cannot satisfy. The conditions related to world-leading marine oil spill response, recovery and prevention, addressing Aboriginal treaty rights and BC receiving its ‘fair share’ are all conditions that require multiple parties to come to the table and work together,” says the statement.

“If approved by the NEB, Trans Mountain is confident that the construction and long-term operation of the Project will be done to the highest standards of environmental performance, support Aboriginal communities and provide lasting benefits for British Columbians, Albertans and Canadians,” it adds.

Burnaby Mayor Derek Corrigan feel it’s too late for Kinder Morgan to make changes.

“There’s been ample opportunity for Trans Mountain to answer the concerns of the province up to this date and doing something at the 11th hour is going to be very, very difficult,” he explains.

It’s no secret Corrigan is opposed to the project, so he’s thrilled with the province’s response. He hopes it will influence the NEB.