VANCOUVER – Mayor Gregor Robertson has passed a motion calling on the federal government to hold public hearings on pipeline expansion proposed for B.C. — or he will.
Last week, the National Energy Board rejected a request to hold public hearings on a planned pipeline expansion by Kinder Morgan.
Kinder Morgan proposes to twin the Trans Mountain pipeline that runs from Alberta to Burnaby. The $5.4 billion expansion would result in increased tanker traffic in the waters off Vancouver.
“We’ve heard loud and clear from the residents of Vancouver that they have major concerns about this proposal,” says Robertson. “If the NEB won’t allow residents to express those concerns, then the City should provide opportunities for the public to let their voices be heard on this important issue.”
Robertson says the Kinder Morgan proposal does not include a plan for fires, spills or explosions that could impact the city of Vancouver.
Green Party councillor Adriane Carr is calling for a referendum on the proposed expansion during November’s civic election, something Robertson says he doesn’t support.
“I do not support a referendum on the Kinder Morgan pipeline proposal in the next civic election, as there would be no spending limits, no donation limits, andno disclosure requirements for people or groups involved in it,” says Robertson. “We’ve already seen industry groups spending large amounts of money to sway public opinion on pipeline projects. With absolutely no financing rules to guide it, tying that in to the civic election is a dangerous proposition.”
He says if a referendum is to happen, it should be after the National Energy Board process is complete.
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