NEB conditions achievable: Kinder Morgan
Trans Mountain pipeline must meet 145 terms
VANCOUVER • Kinder Morgan Canada’s president says 145 draft conditions affecting the company’s proposed expansion of its Trans Mountain pipeline are rigorous but achievable.
Ian Anderson’s comments came Thursday, a day after the National Energy Board released conditions involving the company’s $5.4-billion plan to triple the bitumen-carrying capacity of the pipeline between Edmonton and Metro Vancouver.
Anderson said Kinder Morgan will file its comments with the NEB next Thursday and ask it to clarify the timing of certain conditions and further explain parts of the approval process.
The conditions — which could be changed after NEB hearings — would force the company to hold $1.1 billion in liability coverage and detail its plans to protect endangered species and reduce emissions.
Many conditions touch on aboriginal consultation. The company would have to file reports about its discussions with First Nations every six months until operations begin and then annually for five years.
An independent review released by a First Nation in May concluded a major spill could kill as many as 500,000 birds and foul up to 25 kilometres of shoreline.
The Tsleil-Waututh then voted to oppose the pipeline.
Kinder Morgan’s $5.4-billion proposal would triple the bitumen-carrying capacity of the Trans Mountain line with almost 1,000 kilometres of new pipe between Edmonton and Metro Vancouver. The num- ber of tankers in Burrard Inlet each month would increase from five to 34.
Lesly Matthews, the regulatory lead for the Trans Mountain expansion project, said the company will review the conditions and submit comments to the board next week.
The board also wants Kinder Morgan to detail how it would consult with various governments and First Nations on improving its emergency response program.
Other conditions involve the protection of caribou, grizzly bears and marine mammals. Kinder Morgan would also have to create a groundwater monitoring program for all its facilities.
Wednesday’s conditions expand on and revise 64 requirements first released last year. The board will hear from participants before issuing a final set of conditions when it makes a recommendation to the federal government in January.
Critics say the conditions ignore their input, while more than 35 groups and citizens have already quit the NEB review process, calling it biased and unfair.
The City of Vancouver will be among the interested parties expected to comment during hearings in September.