Is there an economic need for the proposed Trans Mountain pipeline?
This page builds on information from a Tsleil-Waututh Nation report that assesses the proposed Trans Mountain pipeline and tanker project. You can read and download the full report here.
There is no economic need for the proposed Trans Mountain pipeline. We do not need to expand current pipeline infrastructure to export the oil we have available for export.
There is no economic need for the proposed Kinder Morgan pipeline expansion.
- Based on current supply and market predictions, current pipeline and rail infrastructure will suffice to transport oil available for export to market until at least 2025, potentially well beyond it (Allan, 2016, pp. 2-3).
- Experts expect future supply to be much lower than the NEB anticipated because the price of oil is consistently decreasing (Allan, 2016, p. 2).
- The NEB also did not consider how much supply will decrease once Canada implements the commitments it made to counteract climate change.
- The Paris Agreement, ratified November 4, 2016 by 197 countries, is designed to limit climate change and can be expected to dramatically reduce fossil fuel reliance and market conditions for oil (Allan, 2016, p. 40).
- Alberta introduced Legislation to cap greenhouse gases resulting from oil sands production to 100 MT on November 1, 2016, which can also be expected to have effects of this regard (Allan, 2016, p. 40).
Once Canada implements its commitments for the Paris Climate Agreement, oil supply will decrease.
What about the tax revenues generated from the project?
According to CredBC, the Trans Mountain pipeline expansion will only generate $9.86 million per year for British Columbia. That’s 0.7% of BC’s corporate tax revenues, and 0.05% of the overall provincial tax revenues. These are both incredibly small amounts and do not make any significant contributions to the economy. The negative financial, environmental, cultural, and health impacts of the project vastly outweigh the economic gains that would be made should the pipeline be expanded.
We have the chance to focus on a sustainable economy by stopping the proposed Trans Mountain pipeline. Click here to learn more.
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