Enbridge pipeline explosion leaves Lheidli T’enneh Chief with “dark memories”

One woman is dead and five people were injured after a gas line owned by Calgary-based Enbridge exploded in central Kentucky early this morning (Thursday).

The explosion and fire destroyed at least five homes and was so large that it showed up on radar.

It’s the second major pipeline explosion on an Enbridge line in less than a year’s time, the first occurring last October on Lheidli T’enneh territory just outside of Prince George, after which the First Nation Band filed a lawsuit against the company. 

The explosion, which is still under investigation by the Transportation Safety Board, has left Chief of the Lheidli T’enneh, Clay Pountney, questioning the safety of Enbridge’s operations.  

“Today’s pipeline explosion in Kentucky has brought back many dark memories for some of our members who are still dealing with the impacts of last October’s explosion near our Northside neighbourhood. Today’s incident also raises additional questions about the integrity of older pipelines across North America and just how safe they are,” said Pountney. 

“Our lawsuit launched against Enbridge in late February this year was based on the poor response by Enbridge to the impacts of the explosion on our territory and around the question about how safe is the rest of their pipelines that run through our territory. Today’s unfortunate incident in Kentucky has only given us more resolve to pursue these matters through the courts.”

Pountney told MyPGNow that they are in the discovery phase of their litigation.     

“We’re questioning where Enbridge is at with their pipelines, some of these are very old, built in the 1950’s and 60’s. So far they have been a little tough to deal with, I know prior to the explosion when we would ask them for information they would be very lackadaisical on handing it over.” 

Pountney said after the explosion, which caused the evacuation of the Shelley Reserve and shot flames up high enough to be seen from the city centre, they were much better at getting information to the Lheidli T’enneh, but it still begs the question of why it would take an explosion for that to happen. 

“There shouldn’t have to be an instance, or a bad circumstance, for them to be giving us that information, they should be very transparent about how they operate within our territory.” 

In a statement released by Enbridge in February after the announcement of a lawsuit against them, the company said that safety is their first priority. 

Lheidli T’enneh First Nation lawyer Malcolm Macpherson added “Enbridge’s Kentucky explosion further erodes market confidence in the company’s ability to safely deliver energy to consumers. Tragically, it is a case in point for why the Lheidli T’enneh commenced litigation against Enbridge following the pipeline explosion which occurred on their traditional territory in October of 2018. If I was a shareholder of Enbridge, I’d be very concerned about its safety record, especially in light of the human casualty. Many First Nations in BC are now open to natural gas development and transportation, and now this.”

Enbridge released a statement today on the incident in Kentucky:

“We are deeply saddened that this incident has resulted in a fatality,” said Al Monaco, President and CEO of Enbridge. “I want to express our condolences to the family and loved ones of the person who was lost today and to all who have been affected by this incident.”

Enbridge said their primary concern is for the individuals and families impacted by this incident.