Pacific NorthWest LNG gathers more than 2,000 public comments

FORT ST. JOHN, B.C. — We are now just two days away from the Canadian Environmental Assessment Agency’s deadline for public feedback to its draft environmental assessment report of its review into the $36-billion Pacific Northwest LNG project.

Latest reports indicate the Agency has received more than 2,000 public comments since asking for them on February 10.

At the conclusion of the public consultation period on Friday, it will finalize its report and submit it to Canada’s Minister of Environment and Climate Change, Catherine McKenna.

She is expected to announce her decision on or around March 22, the Trudeau Government’s scheduled budget presentation day, and any conditions set by the Minister will become legally binding.

The CEAA report has already found that the proposed project on Lelu Island in Port Edward is ‘likely to cause significant adverse environmental effects’ to two areas of environmental concern — including the impact of greenhouse gas emissions.

However, it also said, “With respects to all other value components the Agency concludes that the project is not likely to cause significant adverse environmental effects taking into account the implementation of the key mitigation measures.”

The liquefied natural gas project led by Malaysia’s state-owned Petronas is still considered the front-runner among what were originally 20 LNG proposals. But, there have been reports the company is frustrated that Prime Minister Justin Trudeau’s Obama-like climate change priorities have introduced a new element of uncertainty into project plans.

Pacific Northwest President Michael Culbert was quick to label false this week’s Financial Post story suggesting Petronas had given the Prime Minister to the end of this month to approve the project as it now stands, or it was prepared to walk away from it.

Culbert’s statement has apparently been echoed by Natural Gas Development Minister Rich Coleman, who reportedly said in an email response to the Post story, the province is continuing to support the federal approval process and has been assured by the company, it remains committed to the project development.

Now, Culbert’s statement has been echoed by both Natural Gas Development Minister Rich Coleman, and Premier Clark.