Sen. Maria Cantwell urges spill protections after Canada pipeline OK’d

U.S. Sen. Maria Cantwell is urging stronger measures to protect Washington state from oil spills after Canada’s government approved a pipeline expansion project that would dramatically increase oil tankers through the Salish Sea

U.S. Sen. Maria Cantwell is urging stronger measures to protect Washington state from oil spills after Canada’s government approved a pipeline expansion project that would dramatically increase oil tankers through the Salish Sea.

The Washington state Democrat on Wednesday asked President Barack Obama to engage with Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau on the issue.

Trudeau last week approved Kinder Morgan’s Trans Mountain pipeline expansion that would triple capacity to 890,000 barrels of crude oil a day. It would also increase by seven-fold vessel traffic through the waters of Washington state and Canada.

Cantwell wants Canada to ensure adequate protections are in place to lessen the risk of a tar sands oil spill in Washington.

Kinder Morgan said last week it will address 157 engineering, safety and environmental conditions place on it by Canada energy regulators.

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