B.C. adds legislation to regulate LNG development in federal ports

New legislation to regulate the construction, operations and permitting of LNG development on federal port lands was introduced into the B.C. legislature by Deputy Premier and Minister of Natural Gas Development Rich Coleman.

Bill 12, the Federal Port Development Act will extend provincial authority and application of provincial law to LNG-related development on federal port lands, stands in a statement. The bill creates a seamless regulatory environment that complements the 2014 amendments to the Canada Marine Act made by the federal government.

The FPDA authorizes the province to enter into agreements with the federal government and a federal port to administer and enforce provincial law on port lands. For example, agreements under the FPDA would detail how the BC Oil and Gas Commission would oversee development and operations of LNG facilities at a federally regulated port.

LNG facilities proposed for the Port of Prince Rupert are expected to be the first to benefit from this cooperative federal-provincial arrangement. There are currently two projects in the area: Pacific NorthWest LNG and Prince Rupert LNG.

Marine traffic and LNG shipping operations will not be affected by this bill and will continue to be led by Transport Canada under the Canada Marine Act.

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Image: gov.bc.ca