Editorial — Pipeline plan creating a Coast-Interior split
MONDAY MORNING EDITORIAL — A debate at this week’s Union of B.C. Municipalities convention may have exposed an unhappy split over Kinder Morgan’s plans to twin its Trans Mountain pipeline from Alberta to the B.C. Coast.
Trans Mountain pipeline expansion. (Kinder Morgan video)
By the narrowest of margins, a motion by the City of Burnaby to oppose the pipeline expansion was defeated by municipal representatives from across the province, by 49.3 per cent in favour to 50.7 per cent.
Burnaby opposes the expansion largely because of the feared impact on that city. Specifically, the Burnaby council is against Kinder Morgan’s plan to tunnel through Burnaby Mountain to lay its pipeline.
According to media reports, Interior B.C. communities on the pipeline route were on the opposite side of the issue from Burnaby. That’s significant, since the pipeline runs down the North Thompson Valley, into Westsyde, and then south to Burnaby.
Kinder Morgan has been careful to consult residents all along the route in an effort to assuage concerns. Those efforts may be paying off as it attempts to counter opposition in the Lower Mainland.
Pipelines are divisive at the best of times — witness what’s going on with the Keystone proposal, which was split the U.S. public all along its proposed route.
Trans Mountain may be creating a clear division between the Coast and the Interior.
ArmchairMayor.ca 
It really is a tricky issue. If they can’t pipe it, they most likely will send it by train. Along with pipieline spills/leaks there have been a lot of derailments as well. Maybe Burnaby would be spared from the pipeline but other communities waterways would be greatly affected by a train spill.
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Let’s keep the pressure on. The provincial and federal governments need to re-think all energies policies and therefore the economic models we follow. Conservation and alternatives must come forth and center.
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It was the best of times , it was the worst of times , the bitumin cleanup in Kalamazoo continues , the NEB police check grandmothers , Harper’s lecturing empty seats , and assorted apologies . We can all do our part , just remember to vote .
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Who are the local politicians representing? As far as I can remember, our reps on city council have done no public consultation on this issue. Shouldn’t they survey the public to help inform their stance? Where do the people of Kamloops stand?
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