TransCanada’s Prince Rupert Gas Transmission project green-lighted by B.C. Oil and Gas Commission
by Canadian Manufacturing.com Staff
Company inches closer to full approval for its Pacific NorthWest LNG facility
VANCOUVER—B.C.’s Oil and Gas Commission has given TransCanada Corp. the go-ahead for its Prince Rupert Gas Transmission pipeline project, removing one of the final impediments to the project’s construction.
The commission’s permits cover the project’s entire 900 kilometre route from north of Hudson’s Hope, B.C. to Lelu Island, near Prince Rupert, B.C. The permits also approve the construction of three compressor stations and a meter station where the gas is to be delivered to the proposed Pacific NorthWest LNG facility.
“Receiving the full complement of 11 pipeline and facility permits is a major milestone for the project, and concludes an exhaustive regulatory process that we embarked on more than two years ago,” Tony Palmer, PRGT president, said.
“Along with the B.C. Environmental Assessment Certificate received last November, the BCOGC permitting process was the last major regulatory step for PRGT. At the same time, we continue to work towards securing more Project Agreements with First Nations, which provide significant financial benefits while addressing cultural and environmental interests,” he added.
Oct. 27’s pipeline permits include approximately 70 conditions relating to environmental, land clearing and wildlife issues, among many others.
In order for TransCanada to move forward with the pipeline’s construction, however, the company awaits federal approval for the PNW LNG plant, without which the pipeline will not be built.
With the important hurdle to its proposed LNG network removed, however, TransCanada is continuing to outline the benefits the pipeline and LNG plant would have for B.C.’s economy and job market.
