Trans Mountain pipeline expansion

Trans Mountain pipeline expansion
Name	Trans Mountain pipeline expansion
Location	British Columbia, Alberta
Status	Proposed / under construction
Owner	Government of Canada; operated by TC Energy
Length km	~980
Capacity bbl per day	890000

Trans Mountain pipeline expansion is a controversial energy infrastructure project to twin and expand an existing crude oil pipeline between Edmonton, Alberta and the Port of Vancouver area near Burnaby, British Columbia. The project has drawn intense attention from provincial administrations such as the Government of Alberta, the Government of British Columbia, and the Government of Canada, as well as from Indigenous nations including the Tsleil-Waututh Nation, Squamish Nation, and Stó:lō peoples, environmental organizations like Greenpeace and the David Suzuki Foundation, and corporations such as Kinder Morgan and Enbridge Inc..

Background and project overview

The expansion proposes to increase throughput from the original pipeline built in 1953 to approximately 890,000 barrels per day by adding about 980 kilometres of new pipeline and twinning existing segments, connecting Edmonton oil sands supply to marine terminals at Westridge Marine Terminal and the Burrard Inlet. Key institutional actors include Natural Resources Canada, the National Energy Board (replaced by the Canada Energy Regulator), and financiers such as the Canada Pension Plan Investment Board. Major policy events affecting the project include interventions by the Supreme Court of Canada, decisions under the Impact Assessment Act, and federal purchase of the project from Kinder Morgan in 2018.

Route and engineering specifications

The proposed routing traverses corridors through Alberta and British Columbia, crossing sensitive watersheds like the Fraser River and coastal fjords near Howe Sound. Engineering specifications include new 36-inch diameter pipeline segments, twin pumping stations, and upgraded storage and tanker facilities at Westridge Marine Terminal. Design work references standards from organizations such as the Canadian Standards Association and involves contractors and consultants like Kiewit Corporation and SNC-Lavalin. The marine component requires coordination with port authorities including the Vancouver Fraser Port Authority and navigational oversight from Transport Canada.

Environmental and Indigenous impacts

Environmental concerns raised by groups including Sierra Club and World Wildlife Fund center on increased greenhouse gas emissions tied to Oil sands production, elevated tanker traffic in the Salish Sea, risks to endangered species such as the Southern Resident killer whale and impacts on salmon runs in rivers like the Fraser River. Indigenous rights and title claims have been asserted by nations such as the Tsleil-Waututh Nation, Coldwater Indian Band, and Nlaka'pamux Nation; these claims cite duties under legal precedents like the Delgamuukw v British Columbia and Haida Nation decisions. Consultation processes involved bodies such as the Assembly of First Nations and provincial reconciliation initiatives.

Legal, regulatory, and financial history

The project’s approvals have been shaped by rulings from the Federal Court of Appeal and ultimately the Supreme Court of Canada, reviews by the National Energy Board and the Bundesgericht-equivalent federal regulators, and provincial interventions by Premier of British Columbia incumbents. Financially, after Kinder Morgan sought to abandon the project, the Government of Canada purchased the pipeline for CAD 4.5 billion, involving entities like the Canada Development Investment Corporation and debates in the House of Commons of Canada and Senate of Canada. Litigation has involved firms such as Ecojustice representing environmental claimants and law firms representing Indigenous nations.

Construction, operations, and incidents

Construction contractors, including multinational engineering firms, managed land clearing, horizontal directional drilling, and river crossings. Operational challenges have included cost overruns, delays tied to injunctions issued by courts such as the British Columbia Supreme Court, and operational incidents reported near sites comparable to historical spills like the Esparto Creek spill—raising concerns about spill response coordination with agencies like the Canadian Coast Guard and provincial emergency responders. Mitigation measures have included additional leak detection systems, rerouting to avoid culturally sensitive sites, and worker training coordinated with unions such as the United Steelworkers.

Economic and political context

Proponents, including provincial governments in Alberta and industry groups like the Canadian Association of Petroleum Producers, argue the expansion enhances market access to Asia and the Pacific Rim and increases export revenues, affecting fiscal arrangements such as equalization transfers debated in the Council of the Federation. Opponents highlight climate commitments under agreements like the Paris Agreement and policies from institutions such as the International Energy Agency. Political ramifications have featured prominently in federal elections and provincial campaigns, drawing interventions from figures such as former Prime Minister Justin Trudeau and leaders of opposition parties.

Opposition, protests, and litigation

Sustained opposition has included direct actions by groups like Blockades coordinated by Indigenous-led coalitions, legal challenges from nations such as the Tsleil-Waututh Nation and environmental NGOs like Stand.earth, and protests at sites including the Lions Bay and municipal councils such as the City of Vancouver Council. Notable court decisions have referenced Aboriginal title jurisprudence, and injunction enforcement has sometimes involved provincial police forces and the Royal Canadian Mounted Police. International advocacy has involved organizations such as 350.org and impacts on investor relations involving multinational banks that faced divestment campaigns.

Category:Energy infrastructure in Canada