By Kathleen Rake
The Fraser Valley stands to benefit from a total capital expenditure of $626 million brought by the Trans Mountain Expansion Project (TMEP), according to Kinder Morgan president Ian Anderson, who spoke at the Fraser Valley Economic Summit in Abbotsford. Of that, $30 million will go toward constructing a new tank at the Sumas Terminal in Abbotsford and a pump station elsewhere in the Fraser Valley.
The local workforce is expected to find its high point in February 2017, with its spending peaking in peak in the summer; the non-local worker spending in the Fraser Valley is estimated to reach $55 million, according to Kinder Morgan documents.
In addition, Kinder Morgan anticipates its Fraser Valley municipal tax commitment will rise a further $3 million from its existing $3.7 million.
Anderson acknowledged his project impacts the way of life within communities: "We're digging up the ground and interrupting traffic."
The provincial government has five conditions they must meet, said Anderson, but Kinder Morgan adheres to an additional eight-point set of considerations when implementing expansion, including regular testing for integrity of the pipeline that moves with technology, environmental issues, the regulatory process, local issues, support from labour and small business community, engaging First Nations, political and commercial support
"Unless there is a trust and respect...then I don't get off square one." he said.