Woodfibre LNG granted temporary suspension of environmental assessment review period

After entering its 180-day application review phase on 13 January 2015, Woodfibre LNG Ltd has been granted temporary suspension of the required 180-day Environmental Assessment Review Period, for its proposed Woodfibre LNG Project. The review period had been scheduled to end on 13 July 2015.

Woodfibre LNG Ltd has proposed to build an LNG processing and export facility at the former Woodfibre Pulp and Paper Mill near Squamish, British Columbia (B.C.), Canada. Its project is undergoing review by both the B.C. Environmental Assessment Office and by the Squamish Nation, separately. Subject to approval and a final investment decision, the project could begin construction in late 2015.

Time to engage with Squamish Nation

Woodfibre LNG requested this suspension to allow time to engage with the Squamish Nation on the conditions of its environmental review for its proposed LNG project and FortisBC Eagle Mountain on the conditions of its Woodfibre Gas Pipeline expansion project. Further consultation with Squamish Nation, alongside these conditions, will form section of a report for the B.C. Environmental Assessment Office. The report is part of the environmental assessment of the proposed Woodfibre LNG project.

“Woodfibre LNG made a commitment to Squamish Nation to participate in its own environmental assessment process,” said Byng Giraud, Vice President, Corporate Affairs, Woodfibre LNG Ltd. “As expected, the conditions reflect Squamish Nation’s commitment to protecting land, water and heritage, and our focus now is to take the time to review them and work with Squamish Nation to understand their conditions.”

The Woodfibre LNG Project is undergoing a substituted process whereby the B.C. Environmental Assessment Office leads the assessment under both the B.C. Environmental Assessment Act, and the Canadian Environmental Assessment Act. The substituted process will require both a federal and provincial decision based on the outcome of the provincial regulatory review. 

Edited from press release by Callum O'Reilly

Read the article online at: https://www.lngindustry.com/liquefaction/03072015/woodfibre-lng-granted-temporary-suspension-of-environmental-assessment-review-period-990/