$2.5 million in pipeline MOUs signed

NEWS — Kamloops, Clearwater, Merritt, Valemount and four TNRD electoral areas signed on to benefits agreements with Kinder Morgan’s Trans Mountain pipeline expansion project Thursday.

If the project receives approval from the National Energy Board, Kamloops will get $700,000 for community projects, Merritt $420,000 for community infrastructure, Clearwater $390,000 for community, recreation and education projects, and Valemount $185,000 for infrastructure, recreation and education.

The four TNRD electoral areas to receive benefits are Area A, $175,000 for community parks in Vavenby, Birch Island and Black Pool; Area B, $350,000 for parks, trails and education; Area O, $170,000 for road upgrades and landscaping in Little Fort, and Area P, $150,000 towards a water-system intake project.

Memorandums of understanding were signed in a ceremony at the Hotel 540 signifying acceptance of the company’s contributions, totalling $2.5 million.

“We value our relationships with the communities we have operated in for more than 60 years, and recognize the communities along the proposed corridor affected by expansion construction should see direct benefits,” Kinder Morgan Canada president Ian Anderson said in a media release.

“Our progress is significant. We’re ensuring the communities along our pipeline corridor receive investments to support important local projects.”