Proposed pipeline expansion - a threat to Native communities

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May 2, 2012 Victoria, BC –– The ROBBINS Sce Research (1998) – Green Party of BC Poll released today on the Kinder Morgan Pipeline and Aboriginal Legal Rights finds a ‘clear majority of British Columbians living in the lower mainland’ are concerned about the environmental impacts associated with the potential for ‘pipeline bursts’ and ‘Tanker leaks.’ As well, almost 75% support ‘aboriginal groups legal right to oppose the increase in Kinder Morgan pipeline capacity and resulting increase in tanker traffic in Burrard Inlet and down BC’s coastal waters.’

“There is a myth that has been perpetrated by the Federal Conservatives and the BC Liberals and some of the corporations proposing expanded resource development that concerns for jobs and the economy trump environmental interest,” said Jane Sterk, leader of the Green Party of BC. “This public opinion poll reinforces what Greens know to be true, that people care deeply about how decisions impact the environment.”

In this poll, only 20% of the people contacted think the potential for jobs and economic gain is worth the risk. Fully 52% have concerns about what crude oil spills might do to the land and ocean if the Kinder Morgan pipeline expansion is approved and another 24% would prefer local refining and use.

“That amounts to 75% saying NO to the proposal to triple the pipeline capacity and to allow 400 Super Tankers to ply Burrard Inlet and BC’s coast with spills-waiting-to-happen crude oil,” continued Sterk. “Those who support refining and using the oil locally for local benefit are on the right track and doing so would create more long term jobs in the region than simply being a conduit for shipping oil to Asia.

“The Green Party takes seriously the need to transition away from fossil fuels as quickly as possible. The primary reason we oppose both the expansion of the Kinder Morgan Pipeline and the building of the Enbridge Pipeline is the urgent need to deal with climate change. Greens also believe we must use the fossil fuel resources we have to support that transition. It is sheer insanity to expand the extraction of fossil fuels simply to ship those resources to Asia for short-term profit to these mega corporations.

“At best, we will get 20 years of exports and by then we will be 50 years behind where we need to be to address climate change. Scientists are saying we need to stabilize emissions by 2015. We ought to be working to help China and the rest of Asia choose a renewable path not to follow in our destructive ways. By increasing our exports of these and other fossil fuels, we put ourselves and the planet at risk.

“Greens were heartened to see the strong support for First Nations in the results of this poll. The data shows that the people of BC are ahead of the governments and the courts. People are saying they support the ‘legal right to oppose the pipeline expansion’ for the aboriginal band whose territory covers Burrard Inlet and the delivery terminal for Alberta crude. This goes beyond the ‘duty to consult’ and implies that as British Columbians, we think we need the consent of First Nations for projects like this.

“BC Greens believe real action on climate change, honouring of indigenous rights and a new distributed economy based in local self-sufficiency offer British Columbians the only real option for change. This poll suggests we are right in our assessment,” concluded Sterk.

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"Kinder Morgan's Expansion Proposal:
Changing Numbers, Same Risk" says the Tsleil-Waututh Nation

Tsleil-Waututh Nation, North Vancouver, BC - May 25, 2012

Tsleil-Waututh Nation Chief Justin George stated today that the Tsleil-Waututh Nation will not be misled by Kinder Morgan's attempts to soften their massive pipeline expansion proposal. "If Kinder Morgan believes the Tsleil-Waututh Nation and our Lower Mainland neighbours can be easily fooled by constantly changing the scope of their expansion, they are mistaken."

Chief George was responding to Kinder Morgan's recent statement that their proposal will be downsized. "Last year Kinder Morgan proposed a 700,000 barrels per day expansion, in April it was 850,000 and now we are at 750,000. This is clearly not a positive development in their proposal; we are still facing a 150% increase from the current capacity of 300,000 barrels per day" said Chief George. "Despite these changing numbers, the risk remains the same".

The Tsleil-Waututh Nation has been clearly expressing their view that the Kinder Morgan proposal to expand the Trans Mountain Pipeline is "a risk too great to accept". Chief George reaffirms that, "as the People of the Inlet, Tsleil-Waututh will continue to oppose this project and speak out against attempts to soften the significant scope of this proposal". Estimates have suggested a five-fold increase in oil tanker traffic will occur in Burrard Inlet as a direct result of the pipeline expansion.

Chief George also challenged Kinder Morgan's statement that the Trans Mountain Pipeline has been operated safely for almost 60 years. "In the last five years alone, an estimated 542,000 liters of oil have been spilt from Kinder Morgan's pipeline in the Lower Mainland. Clearly Kinder Morgan has a long way to go before they can assure us they have safe and effective control of their pipeline". Chief George was referring to the Burnaby pipeline rupture of 2007, the Burnaby storage facility spill in 2009, and the Sumas Mountain storage facility spill that occurred earlier this year.

MEDIA CONTACT
Ernie George, Director, Treaty, Lands and Resources Department. Telephone: (604)-290-3777 media@twnation.ca

BACKGROUND
Tsleil-Waututh Nation is a progressive and vibrant Coast Salish community of approximately 500 members located along the shores of Burrard Inlet in North Vancouver, B.C., Canada. For more information please visit the Nation's Website at www.twnation.ca