On Tuesday, the B.C. government announced it had issued an environmental assessment certificate to Cedar LNG Partners LP for the proposed $2.4 billion Cedar LNG export terminal in Kitimat.
Cedar LNG Partners is a partnership between the Haisla Nation and Pembina Pipeline Corp., with the Haisla being the majority owners. LNG Canada is currently building a LNG export terminal in Kitimat, to be fed by the Coastal GasLink natural gas pipeline which is expected to be complete later this year.
“They proposed to build and operate the electrified floating liquefied natural gas (LNG) facility and marine export terminal in Kitimat on Haisla Nation-owned land, to be supplied with natural gas from the Coastal GasLink pipeline that is under construction,” a B.C. government statement issued on Tuesday said. “Cedar LNG Partners still must receive any required federal approvals and provincial permits and authorizations before they would be able to start construction.”
According to information released by Cedar LNG Partners, the project would have an export capacity of three million tonnes of LNG per year, enough to fill an LNG tanker every seven to 10 days.
The project is expected to employ 500 workers during the four-year construction period, and create 100 permanent jobs once complete.
The provincial environmental approval includes 16 conditions, including plans to mitigate greenhouse gas emissions, air pollution, waste and operate safely.
“The ministers also agreed that the Cedar LNG project supports reconciliation with Haisla Nation,” a B.C. government statement said. “The ministers received letters expressing support for Haisla to pursue the project from Gitxaala Nation and Kitselas First Nation, and non-opposition to the issuance of an environmental assessment certificate from Gitga'at First Nation and Kitsumkalum First Nation.”
