NORTH VANCOUVER, BC, Jan. 14, 2013 /CNW/ - As hearings for Enbridge's Northern Gateway pipeline move to Vancouver this week, Tsleil-Waututh Nation is reminding citizens and their leaders that Kinder Morgan is planning an even larger pipeline project to export bitumen through British Columbia and the Lower Mainland.

"It's important to pay attention to the risks posed by Northern Gateway, but we can't forget that Kinder Morgan has even larger plans for shipping bitumen across B.C. through the Trans Mountain pipeline," says Chief Justin George, Tsleil-Waututh Nation. "Both of these pipelines present an enormous threat to the way of life of all British Columbians. Pipelines are an issue that everyone in the province should be thinking about during the coming election."

As of January 11, 2013, Kinder Morgan announced that they plan to transport 890,000 barrels of oil per day through their Trans Mountain pipeline. In comparison, Enbridge says on its website that it is proposing to transport 525,000 barrels per day via Northern Gateway.

"Kinder Morgan continually claims that their project is merely the twinning of an existing route, but this is a misrepresentation," continues George. "In fact, they are building an entirely new pipeline along a new route, and increasing their capacity by 590,000 barrels per day."

"Everyone should be concerned by Kinder Morgan's safety record," says Carleen Thomas, Councillor, Tsleil-Waututh Nation. "There have been 78 spills since 1951. The largest of these spills have taken place since Kinder Morgan took over the line in 2005. If this is what happens at their current pipeline capacity, imagine what could happen if they get their way?

"We're calling on all citizens to ask serious questions of their leaders about these pipelines," continues Thomas. "And we need all community leaders to begin working together to find creative, sustainable solutions for transitioning away from oil dependency."

Tsleil-Waututh is adamantly opposed to Kinder Morgan's proposal to build a new pipeline to bring crude oil/bitumen to foreign markets through Burrard Inlet and the Salish Sea. The proposal would see the transport of crude oil expanded from its present level of approximately 300,000 barrels per day to 890,000 barrels per day. The Nation has experienced the results of crude oil handling and refining on Burrard Inlet for a number of decades. The Nation is expecting government-to-government consultation on this project.

About Tsleil-Waututh Nation
Tsleil-Waututh Nation is a progressive and vibrant Coast Salish community of approximately 500 members located along the shores of Burrard Inlet in North Vancouver, B.C., Canada. For more information please visit www.twnation.ca.

SOURCE: Tsleil-Waututh Nation

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Media Contact: 
Tsleil-Waututh Nation
Phone: 604-358-3371 / media@twnation.ca