Frequently Asked Questions

Why is Kinder Morgan Canada considering expansion of the Trans Mountain Pipeline?

The Trans Mountain Pipeline system went into operation in 1953. Over the years, at the request of customers, the capacity of the pipeline system has been increased a number of times, by twinning parts of the line and adding associated facilities.

Kinder Morgan Canada is proposing to expand the existing system based on commitments received from its customers during its recent Open Season process. The process received binding support from a diverse group of customers who have signed 15 and 20-year contracts for additional capacity. This response supports an increase in pipeline capacity from 300,000 barrels per day up to 890,000 barrels per day.

When would the proposed expansion take place?

If there is a successful outcome from the regulatory application process, construction could begin as early as 2016. The expanded capacity in the pipeline would be ready to move products in 2017.

How can Kinder Morgan Canada ensure the construction of the pipeline and the increase in capacity will be safe for communities and the environment?

Kinder Morgan Canada is a leader in energy transportation and its safety record speaks for itself. The Company uses a multi-layered approach to pipeline safety that includes comprehensive damage prevention, pipeline integrity management and emergency response programs.

In every aspect of the proposed expansion project, Kinder Morgan Canada will undertake extensive environmental assessments and an open and thorough engagement process with local communities along the pipeline route and the marine corridor including Aboriginal groups, landowners and stakeholders. The Company will work openly and co-operatively with all levels of government, Aboriginal groups and stakeholders regarding environmental, health and safety issues to identify and mitigate any potential impacts.

Safety is at the core of Kinder Morgan Canada’s business. The Company is committed to keeping its pipelines safe and protecting the public, its employees, and the environment. The Company strives to safeguard its facilities and meet or exceed all applicable federal, provincial and local regulations.

Are your Public Information Sessions considered ‘official consultation’ by the NEB? Why are you having these sessions?

The Trans Mountain Public Information Sessions are not conducted by the National Energy Board. The results and feedback from the sessions hosted by the Trans Mountain Expansion Project will be included in Trans Mountain’s Facilities Application to the NEB. Trans Mountain is conducting these sessions to provide more information about the project to enable the public to develop an informed opinion about the project.

The feedback from the sessions will identify concerns, suggestions and opportunities expressed by the public. The NEB will evaluate the information gathered in the Public Information Sessions as part of its comprehensive review of Trans Mountain’s Facilities Application.

Is your consultation process really just a PR activity?

Trans Mountain is committed to meaningful engagement. This engagement starts with sharing information.

We are encouraging participation and discussion, because we believe your questions, concerns and comments can help us to develop and build a better pipeline. At this point, we are introducing the proposed project.

Dialogue with landowners, Aboriginal groups, communities and stakeholders will help the project team identify concerns and seek input to ensure those with interests in the project are heard.

Feedback collected from Trans Mountain’s community engagement activities, including Public Information Sessions will be used to inform the proposed project plan and to help develop a Facilities Application that considers the suggestions and opportunities raised by the public. This process will result in a project application which is reflective of the needs of the community that it most directly affects.

Why do you want me to sign in at your information sessions?

If you choose to sign in at our information sessions, we have the opportunity to follow up and provide you with additional project information, project updates and additional opportunities to participate in the discussion.

We will also submit the number of participants who attend our sessions, and their names when they are provided, as part of the Facilities Application to the NEB. For those who don’t provide their names, they are still counted as a participant in our sessions.

Why don’t you have detailed maps for where the new pipeline will go?

Maps of the proposed route for the Trans Mountain Expansion Project are not yet available, since the proposed route is still in development. Our plan is to follow the existing pipeline route, where practical. (see detailed community maps of the existing pipeline route)

In areas where urban development or environmental and engineering constraints make paralleling the existing pipeline impractical, we will be exploring alternative routes for the new pipeline.

Trans Mountain’s objective is to build the proposed new pipeline safely while minimizing impacts to its neighbours. We will work with communities, landowners, Aboriginal communities and stakeholders as we complete extensive engineering and environmental studies to identify and evaluate route options for the proposed Trans Mountain Expansion Project. The results of these studies and discussions will form a part of our NEB Facilities Application

Once environmental and engineering studies – along with our discussions with municipalities, landowners, Aboriginal communities, and stakeholders – are complete, maps outlining the proposed route options will be available. We expect this process to be concluded by the middle of 2013.  Preliminary maps may be available sooner to show preliminary route options as part of our community engagement efforts.

What should I do to ensure my comments, suggestions, and feedback is captured by the NEB in its evaluation of the project?

By submitting a feedback form, commenting in our online discussion forum or sending an email with your feedback on the project, your feedback will be considered and incorporated into our Facilities Application to the NEB.

After our Facilities Application is filed, the NEB will conduct its own consultation process. Further details about this process will be published on the NEB website once the application has been submitted for evaluation. Here are some details which the NEB has posted regarding their consultation process.

Is this my only chance to provide comments, feedback or suggestions?

No, this is only the beginning of our engagement process. Engagement will continue throughout the development of the Facilities Application to the NEB, and after it is filed in late 2013.

Opportunities to provide your feedback, express concerns and submit suggestions will be available through the entire process until the proposed expanded pipeline operations begin, if the project is approved.

What is Kinder Morgan Canada's safety record?

For 60 years, the 1,150-km existing Trans Mountain Pipeline system has been operating safely and efficiently providing the only West Coast access for Canadian oil products, including being the major transporter of gasoline to the interior and south coast of British Columbia.

How safe is tanker traffic in Burrard Inlet?

The Westridge Marine Terminal in Burnaby has been safely loading tankers since 1956.

In addition to the Company’s internal standards and procedures, the stringent regulations and requirements of Transport Canada, Port Metro Vancouver and other regulators provide oversight and ensure that oil tankers navigate local waters safely. All tankers in local waters are double hulled and guided by BC Coast Pilots. Recent Port Metro Vancouver-led changes have benefited all local marine traffic by improving navigation safety.

How are Aboriginal land rights being taken into account?

Kinder Morgan Canada has operations in Aboriginal traditional territories and reserve lands and values its relationships with Aboriginal groups. The Company recognizes and appreciates that the interests of Aboriginal groups are unique. The Company is committed to open, transparent dialogue and creating mutually beneficial working relationships.

Kinder Morgan Canada views the Crown’s obligation for Aboriginal consultation as an opportunity to demonstrate the recognition and respect for the constitutionally-protected rights held by Aboriginal Peoples. The Company is pleased to support a meaningful consultation process.

Learn more here.

How does Kinder Morgan Canada work with landowners where the pipeline crosses?

Operating and building pipeline infrastructure affects many along the route, and Kinder Morgan Canada recognizes the potential impact to its neighbours and communities where the Company operates. Kinder Morgan Canada works with more than 2,200 landowners along the Trans Mountain Pipeline system. The Company’s objective is to treat each landowner fairly and equitably. For those who may be directly affected by the proposed expansion project, Kinder Morgan Canada’s goal is to ensure it identifies and addresses landowners’ concerns, answers questions and mitigates any possible impacts.

The National Energy Board (NEB) has produced a guide for landowners and the public that provides details about the regulatory process that govern pipeline projects before they can proceed. This information is available on the NEB website.

Landowners who may be directly affected by the proposed expansion plans will be contacted personally by the Kinder Morgan Canada Lands Team to discuss the expansion project.

Additional landowner information can be found here.

My house is near the pipeline. Will I have to move if the proposed expanded route has to cross my property?

Kinder Morgan Canada’s (KMC) goal is to minimize the impact to its neighbours in the planning and construction of the proposed expanded Trans Mountain Pipeline.

For almost 60 years, KMC has had ongoing and positive relationships with landowners – the people who have land agreements with the Company – and neighbours. KMC will continue to do what it has always done – treat people fairly and equitably. The Company’s goal is to negotiate mutually agreeable arrangements with each landowner who may be impacted by the expansion plans.

Where practical, the routing of the proposed expansion will remain within the existing Trans Mountain Pipeline right-of-way. KMC recognizes that land use has changed in many areas since the Trans Mountain Pipeline was built 60 years ago.

Deviation from the existing pipeline right-of way may occur in circumstances such as in urban areas where land use has changed significantly in this time. In these cases, KMC will look at alternatives through extensive routing studies and in combination with the project’s comprehensive consultation process.

Extensive dialogue with all landowners, neighbours, Aboriginal groups, stakeholders and communities will ensure their views are included within the plans for the proposed expansion project.

If my property is impacted by routing and we are unable to come to a mutually agreeable arrangement, what option do I have?

Treating landowners – the people who have land agreements with Kinder Morgan Canada (KMC) – and neighbours fairly and equitably is a cornerstone of the relationships KMC has developed and maintained in communities along the Trans Mountain Pipeline system.

Through respectful dialogue, KMC’s goal is to negotiate mutually-agreeable arrangements with each landowner who may be impacted by the expansion project.

In cases where KMC is unable to reach a mutually-agreeable arrangement, the National Energy Board has a multi-step process that the Company will follow to address differences of opinions as part of the routing review and approval process.

More information about the process from the National Energy Board is available here.