Login / RegisterPoll shows many in B.C. oppose Enbridge and Kinder Morgan pipeline plans
A new poll suggests a large number of British Columbians are opposed to two major plans to expand oil pipelines in the province.
Nearly 50 percent of those surveyed oppose Kinder Morgan’s plan to expand its Trans Mountain pipeline while around 22 percent support the proposal.
Meanwhile, 60.3 percent oppose Enbridge’s proposed Northern Gateway pipeline while 19.1 percent are in support.
The poll was released today (September 18) by the Living Oceans Society, a B.C. conservation group.
Strategic Communications, a Vancouver-based research firm, conducted the online survey of 1,012 B.C. residents from August 8 to 10.
Respondents were also asked for their opinion on the B.C. government’s position on the Northern Gateway pipeline, which would transport oil from Alberta to the B.C. coast.
Premier Christy Clark’s government has said the province does not have much to gain economically from Enbridge’s proposal and would take on much of the risk.
Clark has also outlined a set of conditions that must be met before B.C. will consider whether to support the project, including receiving a greater share of the economic benefits.
The new poll shows 45.2 percent of respondents support the B.C. government’s position, while 27.4 percent are opposed, and 17 percent are neutral.
Strategic Communications also surveyed 768 B.C. residents living along the Kinder Morgan pipeline route during a related poll conducted by phone August 1 to 21.
That poll shows 51.9 of the respondents oppose the energy company’s plan to expand the Trans Mountain pipeline while 22.1 percent are in support.
