Kinder Morgan pipeline hearings denied extra security by Burnaby

The National Energy Board has to find another way to provide extra security at controversialTrans Mountain pipeline expansionhearings, which are expected to draw up to 800 participants in Burnaby, B.C.in September.

The City of Burnaby has refused, saying it can't spare the police manpower.

• Trans Mountain pipeline expansion 'disastrous' says Mayor Gregor Robertson

• Read Trans Mountain proposal here

• NEB upcoming hearings

The NEB wrote to the city requesting eightRCMPofficers to help provide extra security at theBurnabyhotel wherehearings are set to run through September.

The Kinder Morgan proposal would expand the existing oil deliverysystem between Edmonton andBurnaby, adding 987 kilometres of new pipeline.For months, protests raged last yearagainst the planned expansion when drilling started on Burnabymountain.

Yesterday the city refused the NEB's requestdespite the board'spromise to pay for the extra officers.

"We said we didn't have the available resources to be able to accommodate that kind of request," said Burnaby Mayor Derek Corrigan, who is avocal opponent of the pipeline expansion.

He insists the city is not punishing the NEB and that it'sjust too strapped to offer the extra security.Instead, the city suggested the NEB askRCMPE-Division directlyto provide the officers.

"It was simply not being in a position to dedicate those resources without leaving ourselves short."

Tara O'Donovan, a spokeswoman forthe NEB, says security is a top concern.

"We're allowing every intervenor plus one, so that potentially could be up to 800 people in the room."

The NEB said it isreviewing other options.