Nisga’a Nation agreement supports LNG development

The Nisga’a Nation has signed an agreement that will guarantee the Nation benefits from development of the Prince Rupert Gas Transmission Pipeline (PRGT) project on Nisga’a Lands and in the Nass area.

The pipeline benefit agreement is part of a comprehensive approach to partnering with First Nations on LNG opportunities, including developing skills training and environmental stewardship projects.

LNG benefits agreement

This is the first benefits agreement signed by British Columbia and a First Nation for the proposed TransCanada pipeline that would service the Pacific NorthWest LNG project near Prince Rupert.

The Nisga’a Nation will receive approximately CAN$ 6 million from the Province at various stages in the project: CAN$ 1 million upon signing the agreement, CAN$ 2.5 million when pipeline construction begins, and CAN$ 2.5 million when gas starts to flow.

Pipeline routes

The Nisga’a Nation will also receive a share of CAN$ 10 million a year in ongoing benefits that will be available to First Nations along the PRGT pipeline. British Columbia expects to be signing similar agreements with other First Nations along proposed natural gas pipeline routes in the near future.

British Columbia is creating a strong framework for Nisga’a participation in the LNG sector and to ensure B.C. is in a strong position to compete in the new global market place. The two parties have introduced legislation to enable the Nisga’a Lisims government to levy and collect property tax from non-Nisga’a citizens and companies with industrial installations, such as LNG pipelines on Nisga’a Lands.

Comments

John Rustad, Minister of Aboriginal Relations and Reconciliation

“Sharing benefits is our path to partnership that can lead to good-paying jobs, economic growth and collaboration on long-term environmental management. Together, the Province’s agreement with the Nisga’a Nation, the Nation’s agreement with TransCanada and the recent Nisga’a Real Property Tax Coordination Agreement show the power of First Nations, industry and government working together on a common goal.”

Mitchell Stevens, President, Nisga’a Nation

“This is an important agreement for our people and is another step towards achieving sustainable prosperity for the Nisga’a Nation. The agreement further establishes the Nisga’a as active partners in B.C.’s LNG industry and serves notice to investors that we are interested in collaborative opportunities that are based on positive relationships.”

Rich Coleman, Minister of Natural Gas Development

“Today’s agreement provides the Nisga’a Nation with a powerful tool to seize the economic opportunity and helps to give the LNG industry the certainty needed to make final investment decisions. This is a major step towards realizing the economic benefits that will flow to First Nations and all British Columbians from a new LNG export industry.”

Adapted from press release by Katie Woodward

Read the article online at: https://www.lngindustry.com/liquid-natural-gas/21112014/first-nation-agreement-supports-lng-1834/