What's New
January Open House
On January 28, 2012, VAFFC held an Information and Comment Session in Richmond to gather input on potential pipeline routes and trail amenities near the proposed marine terminal
About 145 people attended, with about a third filling out comment forms that asked for input on the three potential pipeline routes between the marine terminal and receiving facility and YVR – Shell Road, No. 5 Road and Highway 99. Most people selected Highway 99 as the preferred route.
Attendees were also asked to select which route they would prefer to see connecting two city trails on either side of the marine terminal site. VAFFC is offering the connection to the city.
Feedback gathered through the session will be recorded and summarized in a Public Consultation Report, which will be submitted to the BC Environmental Assessment Office and the BC Oil and Gas Commission. This report will be posted on this site when it is available.
New Studies Released
On January 4, 2012, the BC Environmental Assessment Office (EAO) resumed its review of VAFFC’s application for an environmental assessment certificate. The time limit for the environmental review had been suspended at VAFFC’s request in April 2011 to allow time for the company to complete an assessment of an alternate pipeline route following Highway 99.
In December 2011, VAFFC also released the Oil Pollution Emergency Plan for the marine terminal and the results of an independent analysis of other potential fuel delivery options, which confirmed that the proposed project is the best option.
VAFFC completed an assessment of an alternate pipeline route following Highway 99 from Steveston Highway to Bridgeport Road, and prepared a report on this alternate route for the EAO Working Group to review. VAFFC’s decision to explore this option was, in part, a result of the City of Richmond indicating through a council resolution that it prefers Highway 99 as a pipeline route should the project proceed.
Consideration was given to the potential environmental, social, economic, heritage and health effects of the project along this corridor, and also to environmental management planning, accidents or malfunctions and cumulative environmental effects.
The assessment determined that the construction and operation of the pipeline within the Highway 99 corridor is feasible, and it is now the preferred route option. As a result, it has been included in the application as an addendum, which was filed with the EAO and is posted on their E-pic website.
Fuel Delivery Options Analysis
In summer of 2011, VAFFC contracted Golder Associates and Ausenco-Sandwell, both well respected firms with marine and environmental engineering experience, to undertake an independent and transparent comparative analysis of four main potential jet fuel delivery options for YVR, including an upgrade of the existing pipeline.
The analysis was undertaken to address concerns raised by the City of Richmond and other stakeholders regarding the original analysis conducted by VAFFC.
The comparative analysis confirmed that the proposed project is the best option when environmental, socio-economic, First Nations, operations and economic factors are considered together.
More information on the 14 options that VAFFC originally evaluated can be found in Section 2 of the Project Description Report.
The purpose of the Oil Pollution Emergency Plan (OPEP) is to ensure the VAFFC’s marine terminal is prepared to respond in the unlikely event of a spill during the offloading of aviation fuel and to minimize any potential environmental impacts.
The OPEP includes details on initial responses, sources of response equipment and personnel, response action detail, interaction with other plans and contact notification checklists for individuals and organizations
The OPEP has been developed by Western Canada Marine Response Corporation (WCMRC), which VAFFC has engaged to respond to any marine fuel spills. The development and maintenance of the OPEP is required under the Canada Shipping Act.
Oil Pollution Emergency Plan Backgrounder
For more information on VAFFC’s application for an environmental assessment certificate, visit the BC Environmental Assessment Office.
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© 2012 Vancouver Airport Fuel Facilities Corporation