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“The new pipe will take up every remaining space in the underground portion of our only major east-west corridor,” Stewart said. “Fortis for its 30-inch line is using the last remaining space. We are telling them, ‘OK, fine, go ahead, but you’ve got to remove the old 20 when you’re done.’ They have no interest in removing it. They’ve told us bluntly to take it out yourself.”

Stewart said construction permits hadn’t been issued by the city, but when Fortis B.C. learned they wouldn’t get city permits they went to the B.C. Utilities Corporation to override that.

“When Fortis told us they were unwilling to meet our requirements they went to the BCUC to essentially override municipal objection and have BCUC issue the permits to get going,” he said.

While the BCUC did issue the permits, it also agreed to adjudicate the battle over what to do with the old pipe. The city also wants Fortis B.C. to completely resurface Como Lake Avenue when they’re done.

In a prepared statement, Fortis B.C. confirmed the dispute, and that it was in the hands of the BCUC.

“Once construction is complete, we will be decommissioning and leaving the old gas line in place,” the statement said. “This is standard practice as it significantly reduces disruptions and is less costly for our customers. Since we cannot remove the old gas line until the new one is built and operational, removing it would create months of additional community impacts.