News Release - November 6, 2013

Community gets together to weigh its options on pipelines

VANCOUVER – Langley area landowners and the Wilderness Committee are participating in an upcoming community discussion for those affected by Kinder Morgan’s proposal to build a new bitumen pipeline through Langley. All community members eager to discuss the Kinder Morgan proposal are welcome to attend.

“As a third generation Langley resident and a new father, I worry about what might become of our farm and surrounding sensitive farmland should there ever be a spill,” said Byron Smith, Langley businessman and Land Steward.

“I know we live in an economy fuelled by fossil energies. I am concerned, however, that this bitumen pipeline may not be in the best interest of all BC residents -- economically, socially and environmentally,” Smith said.

Regional information sessions held by Kinder Morgan have failed to provide the public with important details on routing options, environmental impacts, and economic costs that the proposed pipeline represents for local communities. Additionally, the National Energy Board announced last week that they were cancelling their public information sessions across the Lower Mainland on the regulatory process that will be applied to the proposal. Instead, they have chosen to only provide web-based information.

“Community conversations like the one that is taking place in Langley are vital if we are to make an informed decision on Kinder Morgan's bitumen pipeline proposal,” said Eoin Madden, the Wilderness Committee’s Climate Change Campaigner.

“Most folks I speak to want a safe, clean energy future for their families. I believe this pipeline takes us in the wrong direction,” said Madden.

The meeting will take place this Thursday, November 7th, at 6:30pm, at 9167 Glover Road, Fort Langley.

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For more information, contact:

Byron Smith, Fort Langley Land Steward – (604) 882-1493
Eoin Madden, Climate Campaigner, Wilderness Committee – (604) 353-9603