TRU to get student award money if pipeline project approved

Posted on April 7, 2015 in TRU // 3 Comments

TRU will get $500,000 over 20 years from Kinder Morgan’s Trans Mountain pipeline expansion project if it’s approved by the National Energy Board.

A memorandum of understanding was announced Tuesday for the pipeline’s last “community benefit agreement,” this one to provide funding for annual awards for students in trades, social work and applied research programs, and the Environmental Science graduate program.

Trans Mountain has signed 15 agreements in 12 communities. Today’s MOU with TRU is the first agreement with a post-secondary institution.

The pipeline project is in the midst of a National Energy Board review scheduled to conclude in October, with a decision in spring 2016. If the project goes ahead, Trans Mountain will receive naming rights to a classroom in the Trades and Technology Building.

Bill // April 9, 2015 at 11:35 AM // Reply

$68.50 per day WOW!

Gisela R // April 9, 2015 at 10:11 AM // Reply

I’m glad I’m not the only one who is questioning this arrangement. I know money is hard to come by, but it appears that principles are even scarcer.

Sean McGuinness // April 9, 2015 at 7:31 AM // Reply

If TRU is taking a neutral position on the pipeline, then they probably should not be accepting money from Kinder Morgan, before the project is approved. While it may seem hard to say no to money for students, it sets a bad precedent. TRU is also officially neutral on the Ajax project. If KGHM were to make the same offer, would they accept it?