Time to have your say on the Kinder Morgan pipeline

Wednesday, January 15, 2014

The National Energy Board (NEB) has now opened up applications for the public to participate in hearings on Kinder Morgan’s proposed Trans Mountain pipeline. They haven’t made it very easy for people to get involved, but we are here to help you through the process so that you can have your say.

To apply, members of the public must sign up on the NEB website and complete an online application. If you aren’t able to fill the form out online, you can call the number listed on the website and wait for a hard copy to be delivered by mail.

Applications from individuals and groups wishing to participate will be only accepted from January 15th until February 12th, 2014.

Log onto the NEB website and apply online  >>

Because of recent changes to Canadian environmental assessment legislation, participants are now required to prove that they are either “directly affected” by the proposed project or have “relevant expertise”. The NEB has to approve your application – whether you want to participate as an intervenor or even if you just want to submit a written letter of comment. If you feel that you will be affected by the project in any way, it’s worth submitting an application to take part in the review process. Click here to visit the NEB website and apply.

If you’re applying to participate or have any other correspondence with the NEB, please let us know by emailing us at KMhearings@wildernesscommittee.org. We want to keep track of how many of our supporters are applying and what the response is like from the regulators. If you feel that you have a stake in this decision and are being turned away, keep us posted!

Workshops and additional support for applicants:

To support you through this process, many groups are hosting workshops in various communities. Staff and volunteers can help walk you through the online form, answer your questions about the process and make sure your concerns are submitted effectively to the NEB.

Upcoming Wilderness Committee workshops:

Last Chance Kinder Morgan Pipeline Review Registration Drop-in Workshop (Victoria)
Tues. February 11, 2014
1:00 pm – 4:00 pm
Wilderness Committee Victoria office
#3 - 202 Fan Tan Alley
Victoria, BC
Facebook event page

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Other upcoming workshops and events:

Feb 4 - 7pm, Chilliwack (hosted by Pipe Up Network and ForestEthics Advocacy)

Feb 5 - 7pm, Abbotsford (hosted by Pipe Up Network and ForestEthics Advocacy)  

Feb 5 - 7pm, North Vancouver (hosted by ForestEthics Advocacy) 

Feb 5 - 12pm,  webinar (hosted by West Coast Environmental Law, Forest Ethics and Sierra Club BC)  

Feb 6 - 2pm - 8pm, Langley (hosted by Pipe Up Network and ForestEthics Advocacy)  

Feb 7 - 7pm, Pender Island (hosted by Raincost, Gulf Island Alliance and GSA) 

Feb 10 - 7pm, Downtown Vancouver (hosted by ForestEthics Advocacy) 

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For more info, read this backgrounder from our allies at Sierra Club BC, ForestEthics Advocacy and the PIPE UP Network.

To find out where your home, school, community centres, recreation sites, etc. are located in relation to the Kinder Morgan pipeline route, check out the Wilderness Committee's maps.

Downloadable PDF maps (updated Jan. 2014):

For an interactive online map of the complete route, click here.

Kinder Morgan has also submitted their own maps detailing areas that could be affected in the event of an oil spill. Click on the links below to view these maps and see the potential spread of oil in a spill scenario:

The process can seem a bit daunting, but we’ll be posting more helpful links, resources and information about events on this blog in the coming days and weeks – so please stay tuned!