Trans Mountain says significant environmental effects of marine shipping are justified

VANCOUVER (NEWS 1130) — Serious impacts on the environment from the Trans Mountain pipeline expansion are justified, according to the company.

Trans Mountain made that argument to the National Energy Board last week as part of the Reconsideration process after the Federal Court of Appeal quashed the project. The NEB will consider environmental effects on marine shipping from the Westridge terminal in Burnaby as part of the reconsideration process.

Trans Mountain acknowledges conclusions already drawn by the NEB that the expansion will have serious environmental effects on the southern resident killer whales, Indigenous peoples traditional use of marine areas and culture, greenhouse gas emissions, Pacific salmon and steelhead trout, and environmental effects that could come from an oil spill.

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But though these problems are acknowledged as significant, the company says going ahead with the pipeline is still the right course of action.

“…the Board found three significant adverse environmental effects that were likely to result from Project-related marine shipping. Trans Mountain submits that these significant effects are justified in the circumstances given the critical need for the Project and its important benefits for Canada,” Trans Mountain argues.

The company goes on to argue that the NEB has already determined these risks in the previous decisions but made the right choice before, and it should do so again.

“The Canadian energy industry is in the midst of a crisis. Now more than ever market diversification is needed to ensure Canadians receive full value for their resources,” it reads.”…a positive recommendation from the Board is critical to the long-term success of the Canadian industry and Canada itself.”

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The company also argues that many of the risks already exist because of existing commercial vessel traffic off Canada’s coast, and that approving the project would mean all the promised environmental protections and initiatives previously promised by the company and governments will help address some of the risks.

“These effects will continue with our without the Project. This Project, however, will support and enhance regional initiatives what will mitigate the cumulative effects of marine shipping. The Project has been, and will continue to be, the catalyst for enhanced environmental protection in the Salish Sea.”