Feds begin public consultation process for Woodfibre LNG Project

OTTAWA—The next step in the federal approval process, the Canadian Environmental Assessment Agency has begun accepting written comments on a proposed 2.1-megatonne LNG project planned for Squamish, B.C.

The project, which is being proposed by a subsidiary of the Singapore-based RGE Group, would include a LNG processing and export facility about seven kilometres southwest of the B.C. city on Howe Sound.

An Environment and Climate Change Canada analysis showed the “relatively small project” would create upstream greenhouse gas emissions of between 700 to 880 kilotonnes per year of carbon dioxide equivalent, or up to 22 Mt over the project’s lifetime. The report also takes into account the Eagle Mountain-Woodfibre Gas Pipeline Project proposed by FortisBC to support the export facility.

The report and subsequent public comments are designed to inform Canada’s Ministry of Environment and Climate Change about any adverse environmental effects from the project. RGE is also reviewing the report and watching the regulatory approval process closely.

“We remain cautiously optimistic that our project will receive federal approval as we have repeatedly demonstrated a commitment to meeting a higher standard for industrial projects,” Woodfibre LNG Ltd. said.

The CEAA will accept comments until March 1.