The National Energy Board is extending Kinder Morgan's pipeline hearing by seven months because of the company's latest plan to either drill or tunnel through Burnaby Mountain.
The board announced Tuesday, July 15, that it needs more information - like geotechnical studies, for instance - from Kinder Morgan and that there will be a new chance for people to apply as intervenors starting in September, but only in regards to the Burnaby Mountain portion of the route.
Kinder Morgan proposed the new Burnaby Mountain route in April, deviating from the initial preferred route outlined in the application sent to the NEB. The new route makes a beeline from the Burnaby Mountain tank farm to the Westridge Marine Terminal, avoiding the Westridge residential area, where many residents don't want the new pipeline running their neighbourhood.
Kinder Morgan is anticipating its additional studies will be complete by Dec. 1. The catch, however, is that the City of Burnaby, which is staunchly opposed to the expansion, is not letting Kinder Morgan anywhere near the city-owned land on Burnaby Mountain to do any of the work. The NEB can grant Kinder Morgan access to the land, but the company has not yet asked the board to do this.
The board has a 15-month timeline to complete its review of the project, but Sarah Kiley, spokesperson for the board, explained that National Energy Board Act allows for an extension if the board requires more information from the applicant. That means the new deadline for the board to file its recommendation to government is Jan. 25, 2016 - the original deadline was July 2, 2015.
Intervenors will have a chance to review and query the new data.
