With more rain expected in flood-stricken areas, B.C. extends fuel rationing

Key takeaways:

• The preliminary injunction was issued on November 19, and it was set to expire on December 1.
• The Trans Mountain pipeline, which supplies 85 percent of the fuel for refining in southwest British Columbia.

The British Columbia govt has extended a 30-liter fuel purchase limit until December 14 to preserve supply for emergency and vital vehicles responding to heavy rainfall and catastrophic flooding in the province’s southwest.

The injunction was first issued on November 19 and was supposed to expire on December 1.

Rationing is in effect for both gas and diesel, and customers are limited to 30 liters per trip to gas stations and fuel suppliers in the following areas:

• Lower Mainland
• Hope.
• The Sea to Sky region
• The Sunshine Coast
• Gulf Islands
• Vancouver Island 

Essential vehicles will have unfettered access to fuel as needed, mostly through commercial transportation and card lock gas stations.

Also read: Reports of ‘swarming’ at a high school in New Brunswick were incorrect

The Trans Mountain pipeline remains closed.

According to government officials, the Trans Mountain pipeline, which supplies 85 percent of the fuel for refining in southwest British Columbia, is still shut down due to recent floods and mudslides.

“Despite some minor hiccups, Trans Mountain is expected to be back shortly,” said Bruce Ralston, minister of energy, mining, and low-carbon innovation.

“Before they re-engage, they must ensure that the pipeline is safe to operate. The aim is to bring it back under lower pressure, but they aren’t quite ready yet.”

Meanwhile, the province has imported extra gas and fuel from Alberta and the United States by rail and barge.

Ralston encouraged people to drive only when necessary, to conserve gas, and to use public transportation.

Rainfall of 40-70 mm is forecast.

According to Mike Farnworth, minister of public safety and solicitor general, Rationing has been efficient in addressing fuel supply issues caused by recent significant rains, floods, and mudslides.

He stated, “People in this province have been doing the right thing.” “Everyone should be quite proud of themselves; we were able to keep emergency services running, and supply lines open.”

B.C., according to Farnworth. With at least two more storms expected to reach B.C., the province has extended the state of the emergency designation until December 14. in the days ahead

Starting Tuesday, another 40 to 70 millimeters of rain are expected to fall on flood-stricken Abbotsford, with even higher amounts in the surrounding mountains.

“The system we’re watching is an atmospheric river coming in from the subtropics, the Philippines, and it’ll pack a punch similar to what we saw last weekend,” said Environment Canada meteorologist Armel Castellan.

“It’s not just a rainstorm; it’s not just a snowmelt storm; it’s also a series of storms… Because [the storms] are so close together, there will be an issue with runoff and saturated soil.”

Source: CBC News

Get Canada and New Brunswick News’s top News, Market news, and other worldwide news only on New Brunswick Tribune.