A public information session next week in Belcarra will be Tri-City residents' first chance to have their say on the proposed Trans Mountain oil pipeline expansion project.
Kinder Morgan has already hosted similar sessions in Alberta and the company is now proceeding through B.C. communities along the pipeline, which carries crude oil and refined products from the Alberta oil sands to its Burnaby terminal.
The Texas-based company is proposing to twin the line, taking its capacity from 300,000 barrels a day to 750,000.
A Kinder Morgan spokesperson said the Nov. 6 open house meeting in Belcarra will include experts on issues such as routing, environmental and socio-economic concerns, as well as project leaders. There won't be any formal presentations but visitors are welcome to ask questions and get more information on the project.
The public information sessions are expected to run throughout November but it's not yet known whether any additional dates will be scheduled in the Tri-Cities.
In July, Port Moody city council passed a motion opposing any projects that would increase oil tanker traffic in B.C.'s coastal waters. In September, the Union of BC Municipalities narrowly passed a similar resolution in a near tie vote. The UBCM decision also urges provincial government leaders to fight any oil tanker traffic increase through any legislative means possible.
The Trans Mountain expansion project public information session is on Tuesday, Nov. 6 from 5 to 7 p.m. at the Belcarra village hall (4084 Bedwell Bay Rd.). Visit www.transmountain.com for more information.
