Trans Mountain is asking the National Energy Board (NEB) for a ruling that would set aside city bylaws in Burnaby, which the company claims is refusing to issue permits for work on the expansion of the Trans Mountain pipeline and Westridge Marine terminal.
In a letter to the NEB, Trans Mountain is asking for a ruling that would set aside the requirement for permits, since the city is refusing to issue them.
“The city’s failure to act in a timely manner raises serious issues of jurisdiction that we are compelled to bring to the board’s attention,” the company states.
“After many months of working in good faith to obtain municipal permits from the City of Burnaby without success, we are asking the NEB to allow us to go ahead with work under the terms and conditions of the applicable certificate and NEB orders.”
And in anticipation of further roadblocks, the company is also asking for an expedited process to deal with future permitting issues.
Some of the work described in Burnaby includes the demolition of one oil storage tank and the construction of 14 new ones. The work requires the removal of trees, creation of berms, excavations and other activities for which the City of Burnaby requires permits.
In 2014, when the company attempted preliminary studies on the corridor, Burnaby refused access. The NEB issued a ruling ordering the city to allow the company temporary access – an order certified by a federal court.
The City of Burnaby has not yet responded to Business in Vancouver for comment.
