The City of Burnaby has weighed in on the National Energy Board’s reconsideration report on the Trans Mountain pipeline expansion.
According to the city, the report was “met with concern and disappointment.”
“I am disappointed, but not surprised, by the NEB recommendation to proceed with tripling the flow of oil through the Trans Mountain pipeline,” said Burnaby Mayor Mike Hurley in a news release. “Despite the new 16 new conditions the NEB imposes, risks to public safety and the environment remain unacceptably high.”
The mayor said he is “committed” to working to address those risks to protect the city and nearby land and waterways.
“I will work hard through whatever means is available to protect Burnaby residents from the risks imposed on our city by this project.”
The NEB requires that the pipeline project meet 16 “new” conditions, but the city says it is “not satisfied that the conditions will prevent significant public safety risks and harms to marine life and other environmental impacts.”
Trans Mountain issued a statement about the project, saying that the environment will be protected.
“The NEB Report released today is a step forward in the Reconsideration Process for the Trans Mountain Expansion Project. It provides specific and achievable conditions under which we must operate to ensure, if approved, the Project will protect the marine and terrestrial environment and communities. This report is an important element of the broader process that remains underway, which includes the federal government’s consultation with Indigenous communities. We look forward to the successful conclusion of these consultations and the decision that will be provided on the Project in the months ahead,” said Ian Anderson, president and CEO of Trans Mountain.
The statement added this: “The Project will be subject to 156 conditions. The conditions are enforced by the NEB and demonstrate the rigour and detail that will go into every stage of the Project to mitigate risks, respect the rights of those directly affected and operate safely, should the Project be approved. In addition, Trans Mountain has made hundreds of commitments to address concerns raised by the public, local and provincial governments and Indigenous communities that encompass a wide range of areas. Trans Mountain is required by the NEB to implement each and every one of these commitments.”
