The majority of Burnaby residents do not want Kinder Morgan to expand the Trans Mountain pipeline, according to a survey commissioned by a local MP.
"Kinder Morgan is planning a massive construction project that will cut right through the heart of Burnaby," said Burnaby-Douglas MP Kennedy Stewart, who commissioned the survey of local residents. "That over 4,500 people responded to the survey shows there is considerable local concern, and that 72 per cent oppose the pipeline expansion shows there will be significant community opposition if the project goes ahead."
Kinder Morgan's Trans Mountain pipeline runs oil from Alberta to Burnaby. The 1,150-kilometre line can handle up to 300,000 barrels of oil per day and is already twinned in some areas. If the line is fully expanded, maximum capacity would be 700,000 barrels.
Right now, Trans Mountain is the only pipeline that runs oil to B.C.'s West Coast.
Enbridge has started public hearings on a proposed new pipeline from Alberta to Kitimat, and on Jan. 18, U.S. President Barack Obama quashed plans for Keystone XL, a proposed line from Alberta to the Gulf Coast in the U.S.
Kinder Morgan has not proposed to expand the Trans Mountain pipeline yet. The company is in the midst of an open season to see if there is enough customer support to justify the expansion. The open season is like a request for proposals, and once it ends, the company will decide whether to expand. If that happens, there will be public consultations.
The open season was scheduled to close on Jan. 19, but in a Jan. 18 conference call, Kinder Morgan chairman and CEO Richard Kinder said the company is extending the period. The new closing date is Feb. 16.
"In Kinder Morgan Canada, we had a good year in 2011 as refiners in Washington State wanted access to cheap oilsands production, and the oil sands producers wanted to move more barrels over our dock in (Burnaby), British Columbia," he said. "We expect that demand growth to continue. For that reason, we're in the midst of an open season on an expansion of Trans Mountain. At the customers' request, we extended that open season until mid-February. And again, we will proceed only if we have adequate binding commitments from customers to go forward. But we do see this as a tremendous opportunity in the future."
According to Stewart's survey results, 28 per cent of respondents supported a Kinder Morgan pipeline expansion, 44 wanted to keep the existing pipeline, and 28 per cent wanted it removed.
"I think local people realize most of the gasoline and jet fuel in the Lower Mainland comes down that pipeline," Stewart said. "They are realistic about what that means to the region."
Kinder Morgan spokesperson Lexa Hobenshield said the company wouldn't comment on surveys done by others.
"(But), we are always interested in our neighbours' feedback. However, feedback that we've received does not align with Mr. Stewart's results. If we announce a project in the coming months, we look forward to an open and meaningful dialogue with those interested when we are able to provide enough information for our neighbours to make an informed opinion," she said.
