VANCOUVER — The City of Vancouver says the risks of Kinder Morgan's Trans Mountain pipeline expansion to people, wildlife and the economy greatly outweigh the benefits.
Deputy city manager Sadhu Johnston presented to council expert evidence that the city has collected on Kinder Morgan's proposal, which it will submit to the National Energy Board today.
The energy board is reviewing the $5.4 billion plan to triple bitumen-carrying capacity by laying almost 1,000 kilometres of new pipe near an existing line between Alberta to Burnaby, B.C.
Johnston says the city conducted a vigorous review of the project with input from experts on viability, diluted bitumen spill impacts and economic effects.
A Metro Vancouver-commissioned report on health and air quality concluded a spill could expose up to 1 million people to toxic fumes and kill up to 100,000 birds.
Mayor Gregor Robertson says Vancouver's green brand could be threatened by a spill and he was shocked by a report that found the impact of such a disaster could cost the city's economy $3 billion.
Kinder Morgan has said that it has been shipping petroleum safely through Burrard Inlet for 60 years and it will review interveners' evidence and respond fully through the NEB process.
