Trans Mountain pipeline could be safer than railway, say B.C. First Nations

APTN News
Protests against the Trans Mountain pipeline continue at the gates of Kinder Morgan in Burnaby.

But some B.C. First Nations who signed agreements with the oil giant say the pipeline is the better choice compared to rail – and could help communities in the province.

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10 thoughts on “Trans Mountain pipeline could be safer than railway, say B.C. First Nations

  1. Haley says:

    Maybe without the pipeline Canada will finally focus on renewable/ sustainable energy

  2. Nobody disputes the fact that pipelines are safer than trains and trucks. The problem is when that pipeline reached the tideline and is stored in tanks or loaded on tankers. The Burrard Inlet is the most highly populated area of BC and the home to whales and other marine life. A spill would be a big blow to the BC economy. The storage tanks pose a big risk of fire and the fire marshals are very concerned. The NEB refuses to consider health impacts, as well. Of course, the biggest problem with the KM pipeline is that not all First Nations have consented. This is a very complicated issue. Please do not water this down to emphasise the economic advantages. There is no guarantee that there is even a market for Alberta’s dirty dilbit. if you’re going to write about how it will help BC communities, please include some facts.

  3. Nobody disputes the fact that pipelines are safer than trains and trucks. The problem is when that pipeline reached the tideline and is stored in tanks or loaded on tankers. The Burrard Inlet is the most highly populated area of BC and the home to whales and other marine life. A spill would be a big blow to the BC economy. The storage tanks pose a big risk of fire and the fire marshals are very concerned. The NEB refuses to consider health impacts, as well. Of course, the biggest problem with the KM pipeline is that not all First Nations have consented. This is a very complicated issue. Please do not water this down to emphasise the economic advantages. There is no guarantee that there is even a market for Alberta’s dirty dilbit. if you’re going to write about how it will help BC communities, please include some facts.

  4. We keep arguing over the safety but in reality we should be looking at refining that stuff here in Canada rather than trying to safely transport the raw stuff. More jobs for more Canadians

  5. We keep arguing over the safety but in reality we should be looking at refining that stuff here in Canada rather than trying to safely transport the raw stuff. More jobs for more Canadians

  6. If safety is really a significant concern, transport Alberta bitumen *undiluted* by rail. Undiluted it does not spill or explode.

    There are also several methods in development for turning bitumen into balls or pucks that if they spill can just be picked up again. If government want to sink money into something maybe support getting those methods to commercial use.

    Trans Mountain pipeline runs along (most significantly) the Fraser, Albreda, North Thompson, Lemieux Creek, crosses the Thompson River, follows Coldwater River, then down the Coquihalla and along the Fraser again. Spill modeling by Kinder Morgan estimated a 1.3-million litre spill as worst case in the upper Fraser Valley, with the contamination reaching all the way to Vancouver. You’d have to completely empty 11 rail tankers to match that volume even if those rail cars were carrying a product that did spill.

  7. If safety is really a significant concern, transport Alberta bitumen *undiluted* by rail. Undiluted it does not spill or explode.

    There are also several methods in development for turning bitumen into balls or pucks that if they spill can just be picked up again. If government want to sink money into something maybe support getting those methods to commercial use.

    Trans Mountain pipeline runs along (most significantly) the Fraser, Albreda, North Thompson, Lemieux Creek, crosses the Thompson River, follows Coldwater River, then down the Coquihalla and along the Fraser again. Spill modeling by Kinder Morgan estimated a 1.3-million litre spill as worst case in the upper Fraser Valley, with the contamination reaching all the way to Vancouver. You’d have to completely empty 11 rail tankers to match that volume even if those rail cars were carrying a product that did spill.

  8. Lots of lies and greed surrounding this filthy garbage. Bitumen is only diluted in order to facilitate pipeline transport. When it is transported by rail or road tanker, dilution is not required. It wouldn’t spill because it’s mostly solid and would require heating to offload. Bitumen and gravel together make asphalt… you don’t see your roads flowing into the rivers and polluting them. Don’t believe the bullshit the oil people are feeding you.

  9. Lots of lies and greed surrounding this filthy garbage. Bitumen is only diluted in order to facilitate pipeline transport. When it is transported by rail or road tanker, dilution is not required. It wouldn’t spill because it’s mostly solid and would require heating to offload. Bitumen and gravel together make asphalt… you don’t see your roads flowing into the rivers and polluting them. Don’t believe the bullshit the oil people are feeding you.

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