The province has lost a bid to force the company to detail its emergency response plan

VANCOUVER (NEWS1130) – Kinder Morgan has won the next round in the battle over the push to expand its oil pipeline through Burnaby.

The province has lost a bid to force the company to detail its emergency response plan in case of an accident.

Kinder Morgan says it needs to keep the plans secret in the interest of security.

The National Energy Board (NEB) ruling came down Friday saying the oil company had justified their argument to keep much of the plan secret which perplexes John Foy with the Wilderness Committee.

“The greatest threat we face here is out on our oceans, an Exxon Valdez kind of tanker spilling her guts in the Salish Sea or right in the harbour or a major pipeline breach. Citizens should know what plans are and have an ability to comment on them.”

The province had asked the NEB to force the company to release the plan, a position supported by neighbouring municipalities as well as Washington State.

Foy says that makes sense. “Oil spill response is for the benefit of the people who live here and future generations. How can one have confidence in such an important plan that is kept secret?”

Kinder Morgan has said the response plan need only be viewed by potentially affected parties and that it is not for public consumption.

Premier Christy Clark has said approving the pipeline would mean the company would have to meet a list of seven specific conditions, including having a comprehensive spill plan.

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