A northern B.C. First Nation says news of a fatal gas pipeline explosion in Kentucky has brought back dark memories of its own close call.
Lheidli T’enneh Chief Clay Pountney says the thoughts of his Nation are with the families of those killed and injured in Thursday’s pipeline blast in Junction City, Kentucky.
The line is owned and operated by Calgary-based Enbridge, which also owns the gas pipeline that exploded northeast of Prince George last October near the Lheidli T’enneh neighbourhood of Northside.
Pountney says, although there were no injuries, some members are still anxious and have become fearful of loud noises.
The Chief says the Kentucky blast that killed one person, hospitalized five, and has left seven others unaccounted for, also raises questions about the integrity of older pipelines.
The Lheidli T’enneh launched a lawsuit against Enbridge earlier this year calling for the company to remove the line from its territory.
“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,” stated Pountney in a news release. “[Thursday’s] unfortunate incident in Kentucky has only given us more resolve to pursue these matters through the courts.”
