KAMLOOPS — The National Energy Board has given its conditional approval for the expansion of the Trans Mountain Pipeline.
Kinder Morgan plans to triple the capacity of its existing pipeline. If the project goes ahead, the work will impact the city of Kamloops and surrounding area. Reaction to the decision is mixed.
Mayor Peter Milobar believes the project has potential benefits for the local economy.
“It would be a big boost,” Milobar said. “We would be a central hub for them during the construction years as well as ongoing afterwards. We’re a major centre as far as how their lift stations and that work.”
The pipeline currently runs underneath residential areas in the Westsyde, North Shore and Brocklehurst neighbourhoods. The pipeline expansion would likely take place in the Lac Du Bois area.
Some, like environmentalist Ruth Madsen, don’t want to see that happen.
“Only one per cent of British Columbia is grasslands,” she said. “So the fact that they’re going to go through a grassland park is a local concern.”
Madsen went on to add that she believes the province will gain nothing from the pipeline expansion.
