$10B LNG project in northwest B.C. gets environmental certificate despite opposition

The Ksi Lisims LNG pole throw,  virtually 80 kilometres magnetic north of Prince prince rupert, B.C., has received a provincial environmental assessment certificate — a critical step for the megaproject despite concerns from environmentalists and hereditary chiefs in the area.

The Nisga'a Nation and Western LNG say the Ksi Lisims project would be a floating production facility capable of producing 12 million tonnes of liquefied natural gas (LNG) per year. Its set to cost upwards of $10 billion, as of the last official estimate, with operations to begin in late 2028 or 2029.

In a statement late Monday afternoon, the province said the approval of the environmental assessment certificate came after a nearly four-year process by the Environmental Assessment Office (EAO).

It says the project will be required to meet a number of legally enforceable conditions, contained in a so-called reasons for approval document, as the province seeks to mitigate the project's impact on the surrounding community.

Local communities worried about pipeline required for Ksi Lisims LNG

It has faced stiff opposition from several environmental groups and the Gitanyow hereditary chiefs, who argue it will have negative environmental consequences, including a risk to important salmon habitat.

But the province's statement says as part of the environmental assessment process, there will be a plan to mitigate impacts to wildlife habitat and a reporting mechanism for First Nations and mariners to report any concerns.

"The ministers wrote to the federal ministers responsible for the environment, defence, transport and fisheries, urging them to address concerns expressed by First Nations related to marine shipping in making the federal decision," the provincial statement reads.

Federal ministers also indicated they greenlit the project shortly after the province's statement was released.

The B.C. Government says the project will employ around 450 workers during construction on average, reaching a peak of around 800 workers.

"Following commissioning, Ksi Lisims LNG is expected to have a permanent workforce of between 150 and 250 workers on site for a minimum of 30 years," the reasons for approval document states.

"These new jobs will have positive knock-on effects in the surrounding communities and the whole province."

It says the EAO consulted with 10 area First Nations as it made the recommendation to issue the certificate.

Some of them, like the Kitselas First Nation and the Gitga'at First Nation, were in support of issuing the certificate.

Others, however, like the Metlakatla First Nation and Kitsumkalum First Nation said they did not consent.

Environment Minister Tamara Davidson and Energy Minister Adrian Dix, who are named on the reasons for approval document, said that not all concerns from the area First Nations had been resolved despite significant efforts.

The ministers say they are committed to consulting with First Nations on the project's impacts on an ongoing basis, and acknowledged the project would contribute to "cumulative effects on ecosystems and communities in the region."

"Having reviewed the materials provided by the CEAO and having had the opportunity to meet with involved First Nations, we view the conditions proposed by the EAO as comprehensive and appropriate for Ksi Lisims LNG," the ministers said.

Environmentalists have cited a number of reasons why they are opposed to the project — including that Western LNG, one of the project's proponents based in Texas, have financial backing from Blackstone Inc.

Blackstone is a major American asset manager whose CEO publicly endorsed U.S. President Donald Trump and contributed to his election campaign.

"It's hard to believe that we're moving ahead in B.C. With climate-destroying LNG projects in the midst of a climate crisis," she said in a Monday statement.

In addition to the concerns over the climate more broadly, environmental advocates have questioned whether Canadian LNG can be competitive on the global scale.

A statement from a number of environmental groups on Monday said Canada may not be able to compete on a cost basis when all of the facilities required for a nationwide LNG expansion come online.

"It's a risky economic gamble — global demand for fossil fuels is peaking, and this project could become a rusting hulk on the coast," said Thomas Green, a senior climate policy adviser for the David Suzuki Foundation, in the statement.

"We don't need more fossil fuel infrastructure when clean energy and electric technologies can power our lives, cut costs and create better jobs here in B.C."

Journalist

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