Login / RegisterPort Moody-Coquitlam candidates wary of Trans Mountain pipeline plan
Candidates in the Port Moody-Coquitlam byelection are keeping an eye on a pipeline-expansion proposal that could bring more oil tankers to the waters near the provincial riding.
Kinder Morgan is seeking to more than double the capacity of its existing Trans Mountain pipeline system, which carries oil from Alberta to a marine terminal in Burrard Inlet.
Liberal candidate Dennis Marsden said he is pleased to see Kinder Morgan is interested in consulting with stakeholders.
“It would be premature for me to pass judgment on it. What I would want to see is the environmental impact, the view from the residents,” he told the Straight by phone.
He said he anticipates the B.C. government will discuss the project with Kinder Morgan.
“We want to make sure we create…those opportunities for jobs while balancing out and protecting our environment.”
New Democrat candidate Joe Trasolini said he expects there to be widespread public consultation and a regulatory review.
“That’s the only way that people can reach conclusions and I am one of those people that needs to reach a conclusion. Whether I get elected or not, I live in this community and I want to be informed,” he told the Straight by phone.
“The highest level of regulatory assessment has to take place. This is now even more important…because of the scale of the increase [in pipeline capacity].”
Christine Clarke, the Conservative candidate, could not be reached for comment.
A preliminary plan from Kinder Morgan calls for twinning of the existing pipeline and expansion of the Westridge Marine Terminal in Burnaby.
The energy company has said it expects to initiate a federal regulatory review of the project in 2014.
Port Moody-Coquitlam voters head to the polls on April 19.
