Kinder Morgan is keeping an eye on Enbridge’s newly approved Northern Gateway Project, but the company says it will focus on its own plans to twin the Trans Mountain pipeline.
“Trans Mountain will continue to watch Enbridge Northern Gateway and other pipeline projects under consideration with interest, but we're focused on our process and our project proposal,” said Ian Anderson, Kinder Morgan Canada president in an emailed statement. “We'll continue to listen to communities, First Nations and British Columbians both through the National Energy Board process and our engagement and are committed to proceeding with respect and in consideration of local and national interests."
On Tuesday, the federal government approved Enbridge’s plan to build a new pipeline from Alberta to the B.C. coast, but the company must meet the 209 conditions set out by the National Energy Board’s joint review panel. The actual construction of the line is still a long way off, given the multiple legal challenges against the project and opposition from First Nations.
The Enbridge decision means Kinder Morgan is no longer the only pipeline company that can ship oil to the West Coast.
Burnaby-Douglas MP Kennedy Stewart used the news of the Enbridge approval as a pitch to vote NDP.
“We’ve said an NDP government would set aside this decision. Everybody in B.C. and their dog has said no to this thing, and the Conservatives are just moving ahead regardless,” he told the NOW from Ottawa, shortly after the announcement. “There’s no way it’s going to be built before the next election (in 2015). When we form government next year, we will set aside this decision and put in place a credible environmental review process.”
As for Kinder Morgan, Stewart said Tuesday’s decision shows the Conservatives will push projects through, regardless of opposition.
“All this means is these are purely political decisions right now, and I think it’s great we have an election next year. It used to be that these review processes actually meant something,” he said. “Now everything gets a green light no matter what anyone says.”
