The City of Kamloops and the Trans Mountain Expansion Project have entered into a Memorandum of Understanding for a Community Benefit Agreement that will see a $700,000 contribution toward funding community projects. Trans Mountain has been pursuing Community Benefit Agreements with those along the pipeline corridor to provide direct benefits to communities if the proposed expansion project is approved and constructed.
“The City of Kamloops is pleased to work with Kinder Morgan on this agreement,” said Peter Milobar, Mayor of Kamloops. “We expect to put these funds toward an enhancement project such as the Tranquille Corridor beautification.”
“We are committed to working with the communities we operate in to maximize the benefits of the Project,” said Ian Anderson, President of Kinder Morgan Canada. “This agreement will provide local and direct benefits to the people and the City of Kamloops. We are pleased to provide funding towards the improvements of an area that is an important economic hub and gateway to the BC’s interior communities."
Kinder Morgan values the relationships it has with the communities along its existing pipeline system and the proposed pipeline project; these span over more than 60 years of history. This agreement was signed as part of an overall effort underway by Kinder Morgan Canada to work with pipeline-affected communities to identify local opportunities to give something back in recognition of the public inconveniences and temporary disruption created by construction of the proposed expansion. Additional agreements with municipalities and communities along the pipeline corridor are expected as project planning continues.
Agreements now encompass the majority of pipeline construction communities along the corridor from Strathcona County, Alberta, to Hope, BC with a total value of $4.2 million, representing close to 1000 kilometers of the pipeline. Agreements were previously announced with Hope and Barriere in BC, as well as Hinton, Edson, Stony Plain and Strathcona County in Alberta. Additional agreements with municipalities and communities along the pipeline corridor are expected as project planning continues. Learn more about the Community Benefits Program here.