Jet fuel pipeline concerns Richmond mayor

Richmond Mayor Malcolm Brodie is raising concerns over a proposed 15-kilometer jet fuel pipeline that would run through the middle of the city to the Vancouver International Airport.

Brodie says it's a dangerous plan and he's advising those who are concerned to attend an environmental assessment hearing on Monday afternoon.

B.C.'s Environmental Assessment Office scheduled the public hearing as part of a review of an application from the Vancouver Airport Fuel Facilities Corporation, which represents a group of airlines that use the airport.

The airline consortium's plan is to bring the jet fuel in by tanker to a facility on the south arm of the Fraser River in southeast Richmond. From there it would be moved by the proposed pipeline across the city to the airport.

The groups says the new fuel delivery system is needed to replace anaging pipeline from a Burnaby refinery and to meet increased future demand.

But Brodie says he doesn't understand why the fuel can't be moved by tanker direct to the airport.

"We think it poses significant risk and dangers to the City of Richmond. Not withstanding that the airport is an important economic generator, we feel there has to be other ways to accomplish the same goal," said Brodie.

Richmond city council has formally rejected the project, but council approval is not required for it to go ahead, so Brodie is encouraging Richmond residents with concerns to turn out a public meeting.

"To the extent that you're concerned about this jet fuel pipeline and I think you have every reason to be concerned, I'm encouraging people to go to the meeting," he said.

The Environmental Assessment Office is hosting the open house on Monday from 4 p.m. to 8 p.m. PT at the Executive Airport Plaza Hotel. The presentations will begin at 5:15 p.m.