Kinder Morgan launches phase one of pipeline proposal

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BURNABY (NEWS1130) – Kinder Morgan has officially launched the first of three phases in trying to get its pipeline-twinning project off the ground.

A Burnaby NDP MP is urging British Columbians to take full advantage of public consultations happening at this stage.

Kennedy Stewart says even though this phase is related to the price per barrel the company will eventually be able to charge for use of its pipeline, people should get involved.

“The substance that is going through the new pipeline will be super-heavy crude oil. It’s essentially diluted bitumen. It is much more hazardous than regular crude oil, so there should be discussion over whether there should be additional compensation for neighbourhoods,” he insists.

Meanwhile, questions linger as to how much the route will impact British Columbians and specifically, homeowners in Burnaby. The pipeline will need as much as a 150-metre wide corridor.  

“That’s as wide as a 40-lane highway, along 900 kilometres through BC. Within that 150 metres, Kinder Morgan can do anything it wants to, including applying to the National Energy Board to expropriate property,” says Stewart, who estimates up to 2,500 property owners could be affected.

Several municipal leaders are against the pipeline expansion, essentially because they’re opposed to the extra tanker traffic needed to carry the crude away for refining.

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