CEAA: Aurora LNG public comments invited

The Canadian Environmental Assessment Agency (CEAA) is seeking comments from the public on the proposed Aurora LNG project and its potential effects on the environment.

Aurora LNG is proposing the construction, operation, and decommissioning of an LNG facility and marine terminal at one of two alternative locations— Digby Island or Grassy Point— in the Prince Rupert area of British Columbia. As proposed, the project would include a natural gas receiving and LNG production facility with a capacity of up to 24 million tonnes of LNG per year.

“As part of the strengthened and modernized Canadian Environmental Assessment Act, 2012 (CEAA 2012) put in place to support the government’s Responsible Resource Development Initiative, the Canadian Environmental Assessment Agency must decide whether a federal environmental assessment is required for the proposed Aurora LNG Project, located near Prince Rupert, British Columbia (B.C.),” CEAA said in a statement.

The Government of B.C. has requested the substitution of the B.C. environmental assessment process for the CEAA 2012 process if it is determined that an environmental assessment is required. CEAA is also seeking comments on this request.

“In accordance with CEAA 2012, the Minister of the Environment, Leona Aglukkaq, must approve the substitution request if she is satisfied that the conditions for substitution under CEAA 2012 are met and if she is of the opinion that the B.C. process would be an appropriate substitute for an environmental assessment of this project by the Agency,” the statement said.

Written comments must be submitted by July 28, 2014.