Premier celebrates new northern processing plant

The recently constructed plant has created 300 on-site jobs during the first phase of construction and will continue to support employment throughout phase two of construction, which has already begun.

Approximately 20 people are now employed full-time, to facilitate day-to-day operations of the new plant.

Premier Clark spoke about how the new plant will be economically beneficial to British Columbia.

“Natural Gas is the opportunity of our lifetime and this plant is another example of the long-term economic activity natural gas can create with the right support from industry investments and the B.C. Jobs Plan.”

The new plant will serve an important role in meeting the Province’s natural gas demands, which will include the lower mainland.

Doug Bloom, president of Spectra Energy Transmission West, says the plant will provide a variety of benefits to British Columbia and not just in the energy sector.

“Now in its operation phase, the plant will have the capacity to supply enough cleaner-burning natural gas to heat 700,000 homes annually. It will also contribute approximately $350,000 in property taxes each year, providing a great source of revenue to help fund essential services like health care and education.”

The plant will gather natural gas from exploration companies following the extraction of the resource from the ground. From there, the gas is moved to the new plant where it is safely prepared for end use. Following processing, Spectra Energy will transport the gas through their pipeline system to companies such as Fortis, B.C. where distribution to energy customers will take place.