Calling the project an environmental menace and an affront to common sense, the movement against bringing jet fuel to Vancouver International Airport via tankers and an underground pipeline picked up a little steam last Friday.
VAPOR (Vancouver Airport Proposal Opposition Richmond) presented their 5,500-signature petition against the project to Vicki Huntington, the independent MLA for Delta South.
"Common sense hasn't prevailed," said Otto Langer, discussing the temporarily halted project.
"We expect to be back in the review phase over the next few weeks," said Adrian Pollard, project director for the Vancouver Airport Fuel Facilities Corporation (VAFFC).
"I'd say that proposal is almost mad," said Langer, who called on YVR to continue using the existing fuel delivery system.
The new delivery system would bring jet fuel to YVR by double-hulled barges and tankers, which would bank on a terminal on the south arm of the Fraser River.
From there, the fuel would be pumped through a 15-kilometre underground pipeline running through Richmond.
The project is currently on hold as the VAFFC examines building the pipeline beneath Highway 99. The pipeline may also be built under urban areas.
"Being in the highway right-of-way means it's in provincial land," Pollard said, adding that using provincial land ensures the pipeline won't cross paths with municipal contractors.
Currently, YVR planes get their fuel from barges, tanker trucks and a 40-km pipeline running from a refinery in North Burnaby.
However, maintaining the existing system would be environmentally dangerous and economically unsustainable, according to Pollard.
"We see risk being reduced," Pollard said, explaining the advantages of the project.
The new system would bring in larger vessels at a lower frequency, according to Pollard.
"Instead of having eight to 10 barges a month, we would have two or three ships," he said, adding the new system would eliminate the need for tanker trucks.
"One hundred per cent of the fuel will come in by marine means," Pollard said.
"They want their own pipeline," Langer said, "And they want to buy fuel from Southeast Asia."
"That's presumptuous," Pollard said, responding to Langer's comments. "We don't know where the fuel will come from."
Pollard listed Asia, California, and the Caribbean as possible jet fuel wellsprings.
Langer, a fishery biologist, expressed concern at the possibility of environmental disaster inherent in transporting fuel across the ocean.
"It does pose a public safety risk," Langer said.
"The issue is about supply," Pollard said. "There is no increase in supply in Burrard Inlet, in fact it's declining_ There's only one refinery left, there used to be four."
Despite the support from Huntington and MP Fin Donnelly, Langer is still frustrated by the muted reaction from Richmond politicians.
"(John) Yap and (Rob) Howard appear to be hiding in the bush," he said, referring to Richmond's two MLAs. He also expressed frustration with B.C. environment minister Terry Lake.
"Terry Lake has said he doesn't want to meet with us because he wants to remain unbiased," Langer said.
The founding member of VAPOR also questioned why the federal government has not been more involved.
"It's a federal waterway, it's federal lands, federal-protected fish and wildlife," he said. "Why aren't the feds doing a proper review?"
The public will soon have a chance to comment on the issue, according to Suntanu Dalal, communications officer for the B.C. Ministry of Environment.
"A public comment period will be held in the new year on the pipeline route alternatives before the proponent will select a preferred route," he stated in an email.
If the project earns an environmental assessment certificate as well as approval by environment ministers, the proposal would still need provincial, federal and local permits before beginning construction, according to Dalal.
