Media Statement: May 12, 2014
Details Needed on Spill Response, Scientific Data and Consultation from Kinder Morgan
For Immediate Release

Victoria B.C. – The deadline for intervenors to submit initial questions and information requests to the National Energy Board on the proposed Kinder Morgan – Trans Mountain pipeline project passed at noon (pacific time) today. The office of Andrew Weaver has submitted close to 500 questions for this phase of the hearing process, concentrating on the science surrounding the risk and likely impact of an oil spill, Kinder Morgan’s ability to respond and cleanup a spill, and the consultation that was done with affected island coastal communities.

Andrew Weaver is participating as an intervenor in the N.E.B. as the elected representative of the riding of Oak Bay – Gordon Head, a community that will be directly affected should a spill occur on the oil tanker route.

“I am very concerned about the evidence used to justify Kinder Morgan’s assertion that it can deal with a heavy oil spill. As we saw with the Northern Gateway hearings there simply has not been adequate research on how heavy oil behaves in a marine environment, or if it is even possible to clean it up” said Andrew Weaver “We have submitted detailed questions to the company and I trust they will respond with comprehensive answers”

The N.E.B. hearings on the Kinder Morgan pipeline expansion continue into 2015 with a final report anticipated next summer. Unlike the Northern Gateway hearings no oral cross examination of the company or experts is provided, only written questions and responses are allowed.

To see the questions submitted to the National Energy Board click here:

Media Contact
Mat Wright – Press Secretary, Andrew Weaver MLA
mat.wright@leg.bc.ca
1 250 216 3382

Comments are closed.