Woodfibre LNG’s environmental assessment period resumes

Woodfibre LNG’s request to resume the 180-day environmental assessment review period for its proposed LNG project has been granted by the BC Environmental Assessment Office.

The decision is effective August 10, on day 168 of the 180-day review period, the company said in a statement.

On June 30, the EAO granted a temporary suspension of the review period to allow Woodfibre LNG to further engage Squamish Nation on the conditions of Squamish Nation’s environmental review of the Woodfibre LNG project, and to submit a report to the EAO that fulfils the requirements of the provincial and federal environmental assessment processes.

“Woodfibre LNG has formally notified Squamish Nation that it has accepted all of the conditions of its environmental review and is committed to reaching a formal agreement,” said Byng Giraud, Vice President, Corporate Affairs, Woodfibre LNG.

He added that the company has worked on fulfilling the requirements of the provincial and federal environmental assessment processes that enable the restart of the environmental review period.

The Woodfibre LNG project entered the 180-day Environmental Assessment Application Review Phase on January 13. The environmental assessment period was originally scheduled to end on July 13, 2015.

The Woodfibre LNG project is undergoing a substituted process whereby the BC EAO leads the assessment under both the BC Environmental Assessment Act, and the Canadian Environmental Assessment Act (2012). The substituted process requires both a provincial and federal decision based on the outcome of the provincial regulatory review.

The LNG project site is located on the traditional territory of Squamish Nation and is undergoing a separate independent environmental review. On June 26, the Squamish Nation issued 25 conditions related to the Woodfibre LNG project that apply to Woodfibre LNG, FortisBC, and the Government of British Columbia. Thirteen of the conditions apply directly to Woodfibre LNG.

For Woodfibre LNG, achieving an agreement with Squamish Nation and receiving provincial and federal regulatory approvals are important steps toward making a final investment decision on the LNG project that comprises construction and operation of a gas processing and liquefaction facility to produce approximately 2.1 million tonnes per annum of LNG, associated storage capacity of 250,000 m3, and export infrastructure.

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Image: Woodfibre LNG