What we know – and don’t know – about diluted bitumen

The B.C. government announced regulations on Tuesday that would block any expansion of heavy-crude shipments off the West Coast while a scientific advisory panel examines the "scientific uncertainties" related to how diluted bitumen interacts with waterways and wildlife. The announcement is seen as an attempt to block Kinder Morgan Canada Ltd.'s proposed expansion of its Trans Mountain pipeline between Alberta's oil sands and the Vancouver region.

Here's what you need to know about diluted bitumen and what experts know – and don't know – about how it would behave in a spill.

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