Editor’s note: This is a letter to local MLA Jordan Sturdy. It was copied to The Chief for publication.
I read with interest a recent item in the Pique re. the proposed Woodfibre LNG plant which quotes you: “...hear from correspondence from constituents on the issue and many are forming their opinion about the project based on limited information.”
Please rest assured that my following brief comments are not based on limited information but rely on extensive resources available online on the risks associated with natural gas pipelines and also having attended the Fortis open house and speaking with Fortis representatives.
The proposed LNG plant would rely on natural gas being transported in a new 26-inch pipeline using a right of way not yet finalized by the proponents, but that generally would run alongside the existing 10-inch pipe and would be located very near Squamish residential neighbourhoods and in the Squamish estuary.
Based on the safety issues alone, the pipeline routing should be changed to a route across Howe Sound. Yes, this would likely be at a higher cost as the proposed compressor station location would also need to change, but would result in greatly reduced risk to the residents of Squamish — I might add, but what is that compared to the cost of the loss of a single human life?
Here is a short summary of natural gas pipeline explosions in North America in recent times:
• The 2010 explosion of a 30-inch gas pipeline near San Francisco killed eight and destroyed about 35 homes.
• A 2006 pipeline explosion that killed 10 campers in New Mexico.
• Thousands without heat south of Winnipeg as Arctic blast moves in (Jan 25, 2014, CBC News).
• A natural gas pipeline owned by TransCanada Corp. that ruptured 10 kilometres north of Rocky Mountain House, Alta.
The regulator for natural gas pipelines, B.C. Oil and Gas Commission, has no regulations in place that would restrict locating a natural gas pipeline in close proximity to residential neighbourhoods, so it will be up to politicians to safeguard the residents’ interest.
Herbert Vesely, P.Eng.
Squamish
