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BC LNG Co-op permit approved

Eleven months after it made its application, the BC LNG Co-op has had its export permit approved by the National Energy Board.

Eleven months after it made its application, the BC LNG Co-op has had its export permit approved by the National Energy Board.

The Co-op, which plans to locate a barge-based liquefied natural gas plant on the west side of the Douglas Channel, has been granted a 20-year licence to export a maximum of 1.8 million tonnes of LNG a year.

That’s the equivalent to about 84.5 billion cubic feet of natural gas.

But, like the KM LNG application, that number assumes that the capacity of the initial plant will be doubled.

BC LNG is a 50:50 partnership between the Haisla and LNG Partners LLC of Houston, Texas. With the permit approved, LNG Partners’ Tom Tatham said he looked forward to a final investment decision in April with the proposed plant operational in early 2014.

Haisla Nation chief councillor Ellis Ross described the approval as a “game changer”.

“Our people have ownership in BC LNG and can look forward to sustained revenue opportunities for 20 years,” he explained.

“Other industrial projects on our lands pay us rent and provide other benefits, but this is a business opportunity that we vigorously pursued and which now makes us a participant in a growing global industry.”

 

Construction will employ 150-200 people over 18 to 24 months with 30-40 permanent operating jobs at the Douglas Channel site.