Frankly Speaking

Construction of the Trans Mountain pipeline expansion project will continue, but under federal ownership. The federal government is taking over Kinder Morgan's Trans Mountain pipeline and obligation to twin the pipeline, for $4.5 billion. The federal government announced today (early this morning, in fact) that it will spend $4.5 billion to buy the Kinder Morgan Trans Mountain pipeline, and continue construction of the twinned pipeline between Edmonton and Burnaby. This wasn't too surprising, given Kinder Morgan's deadline of May 31 for a final decision on whether to proceed with the project, given the protests, court challenges and intractable opposition of the B.C. government. Black Press has done an excellent series on this project, giving extensive background to explain its many ramifications. The intent is to help readers get a more detailed understanding of the controversial Kinder Morgan pipeline twinning project. The project has prompted plenty of p...

Kinder Morgan photo Twinning of the Trans Mountain pipeline will have a profound effect on Surrey, the National Energy Board was told last week. The City of Surrey stated its position on the proposal to twin the Trans Mountain pipeline at National Energy Board hearings last week. It is not in favour or opposed to the pipeline proposal – it simply doesn’t want the project to cost local taxpayers more money. In addition, the city has concerns about portions of the proposed new route. It also would like to see the new pipeline route accommodate both the twinned pipeline and the original line, thus taking the line built in 1953 through portions of north Surrey out of commission. Surrey’s position in many ways dovetails with the general attitude of many B.C. residents, and the provincial government. The enthusiasm for the pipeline project is lukewarm at best, and specific benefits are demanded in return for support. At the same time, many other B.C. residents, including mem...