We just heard today that the NEB is considering extending the application period to participate in the Kinder Morgan pipeline hearing.
Burnaby-Douglas MP Kennedy Stewart wrote a letter to the NEB about this, expressing his concerns. Click here to read it.
The NEB wrote a reponse, inviting Trans Mountain/Kinder Morgan to comment, and Stewart will get a chance to reply, before the board makes its decision. Click here to read their letter.
We've been asking the NEB about this issue, too, because is does not make sense to us how you can have a meaningful public consultation process when people don't even know where the line is going.
For example, the Burnaby Teachers' Association applied as an intervenor, and their first vice-president raised concerns with me that the route would pass close to some schools, but if that route is no longer happening, then what's the point?
People have to convince the NEB they are directly affected by the project, but how are you supposed to do this if you don't even know where the route is going? And what's the point of having the public weigh in based on old information we know is no longer accurate?
Many of the Burnaby residents and groups who have applied to participate in the hearing are likely building their arguments based on the first route. Kinder Morgan assures us they are contacting the affected parties on both routes, but if it's not publicly clear that the second route is their preference, then it's up to Kinder Morgan, not the general public, to decide who is affected by the pipeline.
Trust me. I know this city well. I've been reporting here for at least six years, and I've been covering the pipeline since before the open season. There will be people who want to have their say on the second route.
Whether Burnaby residents are directly affected should be up to the residents of Burnaby. They need to build their cases based on accurate information on where the pipeline is going, and the NEB can decide if they should be allowed to participate.
