PNW LNG project opposition rising

Petronas’ Pacific Northwest LNG project in Canada is facing more opposition groups jointly calling for the rejection of the project.

Over 70 Northern BC First Nations leaders, scientists, businesses, unions, university groups, and faith groups from the province have signed on to a letter written by Lax Kw’alaams Hereditary Chief Yahaan, Donnie Wesley, calling on Prime Minister Trudeau and Environment Minister Catherine McKenna to reject the PNW LNG plant, a statement issued on Monday reveals.

The Canadian Environmental Assessment Agency (CEAA) decision, expected by early 2016 though possibly sooner, is the final major regulatory hurdle the project must overcome to move ahead.

The letter from Wesley claims that “PNW LNG is poised to cause irreparable damage to the second largest wild salmon run in Canada, and potential catastrophe for the fisheries economy thousands of people depend on.”

Wesley and dozens of supporters have been occupying the Lelu Island since August, turning away geotechnical contractors working for PNW LNG.

Signatories to the letter include the elected Lax Kw’alaams Band Council, the Union of BC Indian Chiefs, and leaders from Gitxsan, Gitanyow, Wet’suwe’ten, Tsimshian, Fort Nelson and Salteau First Nations, as well as David Suzuki, Wade Davis, Alexandra Morton, and Barb Faggetter.

A separate letter from the United Fisherman and Allied Workers Union (UFAWU) and coastal conservation groups echoed the same request to Trudeau.

In May, Lax Kw’alaams unanimously turned down a $1 billion offer from Petronas for permission to build PNW LNG on Lelu Island.

LNG World News Staff; Image: Pacific NorthWest LNG