Who’s applying to participate in the National Energy Board hearing for Kinder Morgan’s pipeline expansion? Take a look at the Burnaby people voicing their opinions and concerns. At press time, there were 534 applications for commentator or intervenor status. Click here for the full list.
Ruth Walmsley: Our family enjoys sailing in the waters of Burrard Inlet and the Strait of Georgia, and I fear that a huge increase in tanker traffic and the increased risk of an oil spill would reduce our ability to enjoy this recreational resource.
Steven Barclay: The pipeline is planned to cross this irreplaceable Canadian resource in an earthquake zone that is expected to have a major earthquake in the near future.
Janet Routledge: Increased tanker traffic will increase the likelihood of collisions in the Burrard Inlet. A likely site is the Ironworkers Memorial Bridge. If a collision or other kind of accident happens there my house will be directly in the path of toxic fumes and we will probably be evacuated.
Taco Niet: I am an engineer working on energy modelling research activities. As such, I have expertise in the area of potential impacts of the project from a techno-economic perspective. (applying for commentator status)
Dipak Dattani, City of Burnaby: The project proposes to almost triple the carrying capacity of the current pipeline system, with Burnaby to serve as the principal terminus and port for this increased capacity. The project would result in a significant increase in tanker traffic in Burrard Inlet (from approximately 60 to 400 tankers per year), with potential impacts to Burrard Inlet and the Burnaby waterfront. The proposed pipeline and tank farm expansion would result in increased risks to Burnaby, at both the construction and operation stages. Burnaby would be directly impacted by any accident or spill.
Krystal Brennan: I have worked for a wildlife rehabilitator and one issue that continues to come up when there’s an oil spill is that no one pays for oiled wildlife. Unlike in the U.S.A., when a larger spill happens, no one is responsible for paying for oiled wildlife. Wildlife rehabilitators are non-profit groups that cannot afford to pay for the cleaning themselves.
James Sanyshyn, president, Burnaby Teachers’ Association: We have not been assured that we or our students can be protected from airborne or liquid contamination resulting from a pipeline rupture, nor have we been made aware of specific, appropriate safety procedures.
Elsie Dean: Burnaby’s foreshore on Burrard Inlet where it is loaded on one or more tankers per day will be a constant source of noise and toxic odors for North Burnaby residents. It will be devastating for people in the immediate area – lower property values, locked in.
Karl Perrin, BROKE member: The air pollution from additional diesel engines, especially fine and ultra-fine particulate matter, would negatively effect my respiration and the respiration of my wife, who is also allergic to oil-based fragrances. She has had asthma attacks when near the tank farm due to her allergy.
Gregory Dow, SFU economics prof: I am employed full time at the Burnaby campus of Simon Fraser University and commute through the area of Burnaby where the pipeline will be constructed. For these reasons I am concerned about the environmental impact of the pipeline expansion.
Kevin Potvin, Burnaby teacher on call: I need to intervene in the hearing to ensure that the NEB stipulates adequate terms and conditions attached to any approval that include school drills and training of students and teachers designed for each kind of risk similar to the fire drills, earthquake drills and lock-down drills we already practise annually with every classroom.
Thomas Earle: My house is located in a spill zone and I am concerned about safety. I am concerned about the pipeline devaluing my land and home. I am concerned about finding an equivalent replacement home if my home is expropriated.
Miki Wong: I live across the street from the existing pipeline and the addition of this new pipeline would box my home in between two pipelines.
Dolores Myles: I live near the existing pipeline, and I am afraid that in the event of a disaster, the new pipeline would directly affect my house as it is in the direct spill zone. I am worried for my safety in the event of a spill as I am near two pipelines and I have no confidence that Kinder Morgan will be able to prevent a disaster.
Wes Midmore: I am directly affected by the inconvenience caused by the construction activity on Hastings Street and Lougheed Highway (two of the three east-west routes through North Burnaby) and on Burnaby Mountain Parkway (the only direct road access to Simon Fraser University from the west). This “inconvenience” obviously will affect not only regular traffic but also emergency vehicles as well.
Mumtaz Jamal: In addition, an oil spill caused by the pipeline would drastically affect my property value. I do not feel I have been adequately consulted about this proposed pipeline, and I do not want my family living close to an oil pipeline.
Kathy Mezei: Burnaby does not have in place a rapid emergency notification system, and the chaos and damage resulting from an earthquake, spill or explosion affecting the pipeline or tank farm or tankers would be disastrous.
