PNW LNG Project protests intensify

Protests against the Pacific Northwest (PNW) LNG project have intensified with over 70 Northern BC First Nations leaders, scientists, businesses, unions, university groups, and faith groups from across the province signing a letter calling on Prime Minister Trudeau and Environment Minister Catherine McKenna to reject the proposed plant.

The letter, written by Lax Kw'alaams Hereditary Chief Yahaan (Donnie Wesley), also calls for ongoing test-drilling at the site to be cancelled.

The Canadian Environmental Assessment Agency (CEAA) is expected to make a decision on the LNG project in early 2016. This is the final major regulatory hurdle the project must overcome before progressing.

The letter states that the LNG project will cause “irreparable damage” to the second largest wild salmon run in Canada.

Greg Horne of the Skeena Watershed Conservation Coalition, said: "This is the first time that such widespread and unprecedented agreement has been reached in B.C. on LNG […] From every corner of the province, we are all in agreement that Lelu Island and Flora Banks is the worst possible spot on the north coast to site an LNG facility."

Chief Yahaan added: "We are asking the Federal Government to respect the decision of our nation to say no to this project […] We are calling on Prime Minister Trudeau to reject PNW LNG and stand with us and communities across the province to protect wild Skeena salmon for the sake of all future generations."

Edited from press release by Callum O'Reilly

Read the article online at: https://www.lngindustry.com/liquid-natural-gas/11112015/pnw-lng-project-protests-intensify-1611/