Plans to twin a natural gas pipeline from Coquitlam to Squamish will be undergoing some environmental scrutiny - and the public can weigh in on what questions should be asked.
Next Thursday, the Environmental Assessment Office will be hosting a meeting to discuss a proposal to twin a pipeline from an area north and outside of the Coquitlam watershed to Woodfibre, a site southwest of Squamish. If the project is approved, Fortis BC would be able to provide vaporized natural gas to clients Pacific Energy Corp., which would then liquify it for export.
"It's all in the very early stage," said Carol Greaves, community relations manager for FortisBC.
The plan would also require upgrading the existing pipeline east of Coquitlam Lake reservoir and adding equipment to a compressor station on Eagle Mountain.
"This is a really small-scale facility compared to what we see in northern B.C. and everything is in the proposal state," Greaves said.
In order to proceed, FortisBC would have to get an environmental assessment certificate, and Greave said the company would have to ensure that the forest and watershed would be protected throughout construction.
According to the map provided by FortisBC, the expanded pipeline would not be anywhere near Indian Arm or Pinecone Burke provincial parks.
The Environmental Assessment Office has already drafted the application requirements and the public can view them Nov. 21 between 4 and 8 p.m. at Westwood Plateau Golf and Country Club in Coquitlam.
