Kinder Morgan is calling for public input from Abbotsford residents on the proposed route through the community for the twinning of the Trans Mountain Pipeline.
The proposal, which is available for public comment at talk.transmountain.com/abbotsford, shows that the proposed oil pipeline will run through Abbotsford along the existing Trans Mountain corridor, with a potential deviation near the Matsqui First Nation.
The existing Trans Mountain pipeline runs on an east to west axis through the north of Abbotsford. Kinder Morgan also has two facilities in Abbotsford. The Sumas pump station is on McDermott Road, just south of Highway 1. From this station, the company’s Puget pipeline heads south into Washington State. From the Sumas pump station, the main pipeline continues up to Sumas Mountain. The Sumas (storage) Terminal is located on Sumas Mountain. From the terminal, the line continues west into Langley Township.
Kinder Morgan states that running the new pipeline along the current corridor as much as possible reduces the area disturbed by the expansion, by allowing construction to take place along the existing right-of-way.
The existing 1,150-kilometre Trans Mountain Pipeline runs between Strathcona County, Alta. and Burnaby, B.C. Kinder Morgan is proposing about 980 kilometres of new pipeline in the twinning project. If the proposed expansion is approved, construction could begin as early as 2016.
Kinder Morgan Canada states that it is "searching for feasible route alternatives" in order to reduce the impact to residential areas on the west side of Sumas Mountain and to the Ledgeview Golf Course.
The original pipeline was built in 1952 and has been owned and operated by Kinder Morgan since 2005. In 2012, a 110,000-litre spill was contained on Kinder Morgan property, though some residents of the Auguston neighbourhood said they experienced nausea and headaches from the fumes.
The pipeline expansion has repeatedly drawn criticism in Abbotsford from residents and activists who are concerned about the environmental and community impacts of the project.
Trans Mountain is seeking input from residents of Abbotsford on the proposed route, between now and July 10. Residents can comment on their concerns about the pipeline construction and operations at talk.transmountain.com/abbotsford.
Check abbynews.com for updates.