> Home > Discover Richmond > Transit & Airport Services > Vancouver International Airport > Proposed Airport Fuel Delivery System
Vancouver International Airport

Proposed Airport Fuel Delivery System

While the City of Richmond has and will continue to provide comments on this project, it does not have any regulatory power with regard to pipeline projects, such as this, beyond development and building permitting on private lands.

The Project
The Vancouver Airport Fuel Facilities Corporation (VAFFC), an organization owned and operated by a consortium of commercial airlines, is proposing to build a new aviation fuel delivery system to serve the Vancouver International Airport (YVR) and meet its long-term needs for aviation fuel.

Over the past several years, VAFFC has identified several alternatives for a reliable long-term fuel supply for YVR. The alternatives include a combination of fuel delivery by marine routes, rail, tanker trucks and pipeline to bring fuel from its sources to YVR.

The VAFFC is pursuing approvals for their South Arm Option which consists of a marine terminal and fuel receiving and storage facility on the south arm of the Fraser River. It also proposes a new (approx.) 15 kilometre pipeline through Richmond connecting the fuel receiving facility to YVR either along the Shell Road rail corridor or Highway 99.

While the City of Richmond has and will continue to provide comments to influence the process of this project, it does not have any regulatory power with regard to pipeline projects, such as this, beyond development and building permitting on private lands.

The regulatory agencies that have powers to approve or reject this project include the BC Oil & Gas Commission and the Federal and Provincial Ministries of Environment.

The City’s primary concern is public safety and protection of the environment.

For more information on the City of Richmond’s position, please visit Council meeting minutes at www.richmond.ca including:

Recent City of Richmond News Releases

Current Public Participation

January 11, 2012 to February 1, 2012

Public Comment Period

 Environmental Assessment Office of British Columbia (BCEAO) application public comment period is open.

The BCEAO accepts public comments:
  • By online form:  http://www.eao.gov.bc.ca
  • By mail:  Rachel Shaw
    Project Assessment Director
    Environmental Assessment Office
    PO Box 9426 Stn Prov Govt
    Victoria, BC  V8W 9V1
  • By fax: 250-357-6762

You may also comment to the City of Richmond by emailing mayorandcouncillors@richmond.ca

January 28, 2012
VAFFC Open House
 The Vancouver Airport Fuel Facilities Corporation (VAFFC)  invites the public to provide comment on the proposed pipleline routing options, and public amenities near the proposed marine terminal.

  • Time: 10:00 a.m. - 2:00 p.m. 
  • Location: East Richmond Community Hall, 12360 Cambie Road, Richmond, B.C.

For more information about the information session phone 604-638-7463 or email info@vancouverairportfuel.ca

Regulatory  Process
VAFFC voluntarily applied for, and was approved to, have the project reviewed by the BC Environmental Assessment Office. The environmental assessment process allows for public comment, and concludes with ministerial approval or rejection of the project.

The following organizations are among those represented on the Environmental Assessment Process Working Group created for the VAFFC project.

  • First Nations
  • Port Metro Vancouver
  • Vancouver Airport Authority
  • Fraser River Estuary Management Program
  • BC Oil and Gas Commission
  • City of Richmond

The City of Richmond does not have any regulatory power with regard to pipeline projects beyond development and building permitting on private lands. 

Timeline
EAO-VAFFC-Timeline
More Information
You can obtain more information from: