British Columbia gives environment nod to $1.6bn Woodfibre LNG project

British Columbia has issued environmental assessment certificate to the $1.6bn Woodfibre LNG project to be built in the District of Squamish.

British Columbia Environment Ministry and Natural Gas Development Ministry have issued the environment certificate to the project being developed by Woodfibre LNG, following the assessment by Environmental Assessment Office.

Woodfibre LNG project is proposed to be built at the former Woodfibre pulp mill site, about seven kilometres southwest of Squamish.

It will feature a gas processing and liquefaction facility to produce about 2.1 million tonnes of LNG per year, a marine terminal

Woodfibre LNG project will also include associated storage capacity to store about 250,000 m3of gas, and export infrastructure.

Woodfibre LNG Corporate Affairs vice president: "Receiving environmental approval in British Columbia is not only an important milestone for the Woodfibre LNG project, but it means the people of Squamish and the region are one step closer to realising the opportunities that an industrial project like Woodfibre LNG can bring.

While approving the project, British Columbia has put 25 conditions to mitigate the impact on marine life, water quality and traffic within local waterways.

The project is still awaiting approval from the federal minister and provincial ministers based on the environmental assessment report prepared by the Environmental Assessment Office. The company said that the federal government decision on the project is expected later this year.

Squamish Nation had given conditional environmental approval for the project on 14th October.

The company will make a final investment decision on the Woodfibre LNG project following an agreement with Squamish Nation and receipt of regulatory approvals.

After completion the project is expected to generate 1,975 jobs during construction and approximately 100 full-time jobs during operations.

Woodfibre LNG Corporate Affairs vice president Byng Giraud said: "We’ve spent the last two and a half years having conversations in the community to ensure that we understand their concerns and act on their priorities.

"By powering our facility with electricity, we will reduce our greenhouse gas emissions by about 80%, and make Woodfibre LNG one of the cleanest LNG facilities in the world."