As scientists continue to sound the alarm about the impacts of climate change being felt already, Big Oil companies continue to propose projects that would convert the west coast of Canada into the gateway for global warming.

In the next couple weeks US multinational energy giant Kinder Morgan is expected to apply to the National Energy Board (NEB) of Canada to expand their Trans Mountain pipeline that runs from the Alberta tar sands to the Burnaby Westridge terminal on Burrard Inlet.

Kinder Morgan has publicly stated that by April 15th they will apply to the NEB to expand the Trans Mountain pipeline that runs from the Alberta tar sands to the Burnaby Westridge terminal on Burrard Inlet. This proposal would see the pipeline’s capacity increase from 300,000 barrels of oil/day to as much as 700,000 barrels/day. This would mean a potential increase from 22 tankers in Burrard Inlet when Kinder Morgan bought the pipeline, to 280 tankers if their plan is allowed to proceed.

Now that they are set to announce their plans to twin their pipeline we have decided to beat Kinder Morgan to the punch. That’s why today we are sharing a new report entitled‘Do You Want To Help Stop An Oil Spill?’ (the full report is available here). This report explores the Kinder Morgan proposal in the context of the high profile fights against the Keystone XL Pipeline, and the Enbridge Pipeline as well as other tar sands export proposals.

I’m please to say that all these efforts to export crude oil from the Alberta tar sands via new pipelines and oil tankers are meeting a rising wave of public opposition. On Monday, nearly 2,000 people join a daytime rally in downtown Vancouver against tar sands pipelines and tankers.

We have public opinion on our side, there is overwhelming opposition to these projects. A unprecedented 4,500 people have signed up to participate in the Enbridge hearing. Over 130 First Nations chiefs have signed the historic Save the Fraser Declaration making it clear that they will not allow tar sands exports through their territory.

This is veritable wall of opposition, and with your help we can make this wall even stronger – ready to withstand the public relations onslaught coming from Big Oil. We intend this report to be an organizing tool for you and the thousands of Canadians who are actively working to oppose these projects.

While or movement is strong and growing there are still many of our friends and neighbours that don't know the full scope of what Kinder Morgan and Enbridge have planed for our coast. That is why we need to get our new newspaper out in to our communities and where you come in.

We need your help distributing this information in your neighbourhood. If you can distribute papers please email us and with your mailing address and let us know how many copies you can hand out.

Please join me in standing up for our coast

Ben West | Healthy Communities Campaigner
Wilderness Committee

P.S. This Saturday there will be a rally against the Enbridge Pipeline in Comox click here for more information and to find out about carpooling to the event.