Delta council is asking for more information about the proposal to bring jet fuel up the Fraser River before taking a stand on the issue.
Last week, representatives from Vancouver Airport Pipeline Opposition for Richmond (VAPOR) made a presentation about the group's concerns about the proposal and asked Delta council to get on board with the City of Richmond in opposing the project.
Owned by a consortium of airlines that use Vancouver International Airport, the Vancouver Airport Fuel Facilities Corporation is proposing to ship jet fuel to a tank farm that would be built on the Richmond side of the south arm of the Fraser. An underground pipeline would then send the fuel to YVR.
Earlier this year, a Port Metro Vancouver report deemed the proposal an acceptable risk and stated the biggest risk of a fuel spill would come from a tanker striking something or running aground.
"It's really important that Delta no longer be silent," said VAPOR president Carol Day.
The group asked council to pass a resolution opposing the project.
"This proposal is terrible, we have to stop it," Day said.
The group is advocating for a pipeline to move the jet fuel to the airport, saying it is a safer option.
Mayor Lois Jackson voiced concerns that a pipeline would come straight through the municipality.
Last year, the B.C. Environmental Assessment Office accepted a formal application for an environmental assessment of the proposed Vancouver Airport Fuel Delivery Project.
While so far Delta has remained silent on the issue, a Delta staff member is part of an EAO working group on the proposal, along with other municipal, provincial and federal government representatives.
At last week's meeting, civic politicians approved a motion to send letters to the provincial and federal governments stating Delta has some concerns about the project and is opposed to it until council has a fuller understanding of what it will mean for the area.
"We have a really big interest in keeping the rivers safe," said Coun. Bruce McDonald.
"I'm very, very concerned about these ships coming over the Deas Island Tunnel," added Jackson.
