Dozens of people attend Kinder Morgan info session and many are worried about a rupture or spill

People living in North Burnaby assembled at the front doors of the school where Kinder Morgan held an information session Saturday.

The protesters held placards reading "We love this coast" and "No Tankers."

Kinder Morgan wants to twin its current pipeline from Alberta to Burnaby, which will mean doubled tanker traffic in Burrard Inlet.

"Some of us are people who experienced the rupture of the pipeline of 2007, people that live in Westridge. They're still traumatized by that. If there was a rupture, how would that affect kids in schools because the pipeline passes close to Stoney Creek Elementary School?" asks Karl Perrin, a member of BROKE, or Burnaby Residents Opposed to Kinder Morgan Expansion.

"The noise, the chaos, and the smells that went on forever. I would never want that to happen to anyone else again," says Shirley whose home was affected by the spill.

Others are worried about the potential negative impact on health, property values, and the environment.

People who came to see the displays came with questions.

"My number one concern is the difference between piping bitumen and other petroleum products. Nationwide we need a national energy plan. We don't have one and that's appalling. We need one for BC as well," argues Debra, a resident of Burnaby.

"The pipeline that they're spending money on is money that doesn't buy you this planet," says David, who also is doubtful about the number of jobs it will create for British Columbians.

Company tries to allay fears

Michael Davies with Kinder Morgan is re-assuring people living in Burnaby that it is doing everything it can to prevent disasters.

"The pipe is coated. We run tools through the pipeline to avoid corrosion on the inside as well and we have smart tools that run through the pipeline that can look for or detect any features that might be injurious to the pipe," explains Davies.

In the event of a rupture or spill, he says there are emergency response plans along with response equipment sprinkled throughout the system. 

So far, more than a thousand people have turned up to Kinder Morgan consultation meetings in about two dozen communities all over BC.