RICHMOND (NEWS1130) - The group behind a controversial fuel pipeline to Vancouver International Airport is holding an open house at the East Richmond Community Hall today to discuss possible routes.
The Vancouver Airport Pipeline Opposition is using the open house to voice their concerns. Carol Day with the organization says many people in the community are deeply worried.
"We even got Mayor [Malcolm] Brodie saying he has yet to find one person who thinks this is the right thing for the Fraser River. And that's the response we have got from the 5,600 that have signed our petition, everyone says why in the world for they consider something that is so threatening?"
The group insists no one has thought about the impact the project could have on the environment.
"We need and want and expect an environmental Canada review. We're also asking for our local politicians, the MLA's and MP's to all commit to a declaration to save the Fraser River."
Adrian Pollard with the
Fuel Facilities Corporation says running a 15-kilometre pipeline across Richmond, between the airport and a marine terminal, will actually have environmental and safety benefits.
"The first thing people will notice is the trucks are off the road and depending on the season that receives about 35 to 40 trucks a day."
The provincial and federal governments are completing an environment assessment of the project. People protesting outside today's open house say having any oil tankers shipped using the Fraser River poses too big of a safety risk.
The consortium behind the proposal to barge fuel up the river and pipe it through the city says it's necessary to keep up with demand at YVR.