Mayor pans Kinder Morgan’s ‘risky’ pipeline expansion
Robertson says project is potentially catastrophic
Vancouver Mayor Gregor Robertson has told a federal panel on the proposed Kinder Morgan pipeline expansion that the project could be catastrophic to the city.
“The National Energy Board’s review of Kinder Morgan’s pipeline application was flawed and biased, and totally ignored the overwhelming evidence that a major oil spill from a 600-per-cent increase in tanker traffic would be catastrophic for Vancouver’s environment and economy,” Robertson said on Tuesday at the federal Trans Mountain expansion project ministerial panel hearing in Vancouver.
“There is clear and present opposition to Kinder Morgan’s risky proposal from local residents, First Nations, and municipalities. I’m confident that the ministerial panel will see that, on balance, there is no case for this pipeline and the federal government should turn down Kinder Morgan’s application.”
The federal cabinet is to make a final decision on Kinder Morgan’s proposed $6.8-billion expansion of its pipeline network from Edmonton to Burnaby in December, after considering the National Energy Board’s approval of the expansion subject to 157 conditions.
A three-person panel is holding public hearings on the issue.
Robertson argued the expansion is not in Vancouver or Canada’s economic or environmental interest.
He said there is no social licence to approve the pipeline because the NEB’s process for reviewing the pipeline was flawed and biased, shutting out both community voices and scientific evidence on the consequences of an oil spill and impact of climate pollution; that there is no economic case for Kinder Morgan’s expanded pipeline capacity because of lower oil prices and falling demand for unconventional oil; that an oil spill would devastate the coastal economy, marine wildlife, and a green brand valued at $31 billion; and that the pipeline will undermine Canada’s ability to meet its global climate commitments.
He said the environmental and public health risks of an expanded pipeline far outweigh any economic benefit.