A controversial proposal to pipe jet fuel to Vancouver International Airport via a Fraser River terminal has been delayed for several months.
Environment Minister Terry Lake says an environmental assessment for the Vancouver Airport Fuel Delivery is suspended pending further study on land and marine fuel spills.
He said, in a statement late Monday, that a symposium featuring experts in fuel spill response is being held March 25 to 27 to discuss the best practices for B.C.
Get breaking National news
After a new preparedness plan is complete, the government will decide whether to grant an environmental certificate for the project.
Richmond Mayor Malcolm Brodie is opposed to the project which will involve fully-loaded tankers travelling on the Fraser River to southeast Richmond.
Under the proposal, jet fuel will be piped 15 kilometre to the airport through a pipeline running diagonally across Richmond.
In an editorial Monday to The Vancouver Sun, Brodie said council has “steadfastly opposed this proposal from the outset” because of the many economic, social and environmental risks to Richmond and surrounding areas.
“Jet fuel will be off-loaded perilously close to environmentally sensitive areas on both sides of the river,” he wrote. “Despite repeated requests, there has been no satisfactory plan developed to address potential environmental impacts should there be a major spill in these sensitive areas.”
The province was due to make a decision on whether to grant the environmental assessment certificate by the end of February.
Comments
Want to discuss? Please read our Commenting Policy first.