VICTORIA — Three proposed multibillion-dollar liquefied natural gas projects in northern B.C. have been awarded the environmental green light by the provincial government.
Environment Minister Mary Polak and Natural Gas Development Minister Rich Coleman have issued Environmental Assessment Certificates.
The ministries of Environment and Natural Gas Development now have environmental assessment certificates for two pipelines and one export facility: the Westcoast Connector Gas Transmission pipeline, Pacific NorthWest LGN export facility, and the Prince Rupert Gas Transmission pipeline.
The Westcoast Connector Gas Transmission pipeline involves the construction and operation of up to two 860-kilometre natural gas pipelines from the Cypress Area in northeast BC (100 kilometres northwest of Fort St. John) to a new LNG terminal being proposed at Ridley Island near Prince Rupert. The estimated capital cost is $7.5 billion. Construction would generate 13,400 person-years of direct employment in B.C. During the 50 years of operations, 120 full-time jobs would be created.
The Pacific NorthWest LNG export facility involves the construction and operation of an LNG export facility located on Lelu Island and adjacent water lots in the Port of Prince Rupert. The estimated capital cost is $11.4 billion. Construction would generate 8,000 person-years of direct employment in B.C. During the 30 years of operations, 650 full-time jobs would be created.
The Prince Rupert Gas Transmission pipeline involves the construction and operation of a 900-kilometre natural gas pipeline from near the District of Hudson’s Hope in northeastern B.C. to the Pacific NorthWest LNG export facility. The estimated capital cost is $5 billion. Construction would generate 8,250 person-years of direct employment in B.C. During the 40 years of operations, 23 full-time jobs would be created.
The Environment Ministry says the projects still need permits from all three levels of government, and the LNG export facility is still subject to a federal environmental assessment.
SOURCE Province of British Columbia, Ministry of the Environment
