NEB Decision on Kinder Morgan Completely Flawed

Media Statement: May 19, 2016
Andrew Weaver – NEB decision on Kinder Morgan completely flawed
For Immediate Release

Victoria B.C. –  In response to the Kinder Morgan announcement by the National Energy Board, Andrew Weaver, Leader of the B.C. Green Party and MLA for Oak Bay-Gordon Head has issued the following statement:

“I’m not surprised by the announcement. Kinder Morgan’s Trans Mountain pipeline, and the approval process it went through, appeared rigged from the start,” says Weaver. “As a participating intervenor I watched as other intervenors withdrew in frustration because they knew their participation was futile.”

“Within the limited constraints of the NEB process I submitted nearly 500 questions to Kinder Morgan which focused primarily on the risk and impact of a potential oil spill, the scientific underpinning of the oceanographic analysis used, and the extent of consultation done by the company. It was clear that the process for this project was not about assessing the best scientific evidence, or whether it was in the interests of British Columbians, but was more of a box-ticking exercise.”

“Fundamentally we don’t have the science or the capacity to deal with a diluted bitumen spill on our coast. The provincial government has voiced its opposition to this project already, and even with all the conditions placed on the project, I don’t see how the province could now turn around and approve it.”

Andrew Weaver was the only BC MLA to seek and receive intervenor status for the NEB Hearing Process. He has been involved in the process since December 2013 when he applied.

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Media Contact
Mat Wright
Press Secretary – Andrew Weaver MLA
Cell: 250 216 3382
Mat.wright@leg.bc.ca
Twitter: @MatVic

Parliament Buildings
Room 027C
Victoria BC V8V 1X4