British Columbia

3 LNG projects get B.C.'s environmental green light

The Environment Ministry says the projects still need permits from all three levels of government, and the LNG export facility is still subject to a federal environmental assessment.

Westcoast Connector pipeline, Prince Rupert pipeline and Pacific NorthWest export facility move ahead

Three proposed multibillion-dollar liquefied natural gas projects in northern B.C. have been awarded the environmental green light by the provincial government.

The ministries of Environment and Natural Gas Development have now issued environmental assessment certificates for two pipelines and one export facility.

The Westcoast Connector Gas Transmission pipeline and the Prince Rupert Gas Transmission pipeline would start near Fort St. John and Hudson's Hope, respectively, and end hundreds of kilometres away on the coast near Prince Rupert.

An LNG plant worker is shown in Kitimat, B.C. (CBC)

Capital costs for the two proposed projects are expected to hit $7.5 billion and $5 billion.

The Pacific NorthWest LNG export facility would be built in the Port of Prince Rupert and its estimated capital cost is $11.4 billion.

The Environment Ministry says the projects still need various permits from all three levels of government, and the LNG export facility is still subject to a federal environmental assessment.