ENVIRONMENTAL ASSESSMENT OFFICE ACCEPTS WOODFIBRE LNG APPLICATION

SQUAMISH, B.C. – Woodfibre LNG today announced that the Environmental Assessment Office has accepted its application for an Environmental Assessment Certificate. The Project will now enter a 180-day Application Review Phase on January 13, 2015.

“Woodfibre LNG’s application reflects the feedback we’ve received from the community and it addresses people’s priorities for the project,” said Byng Giraud, Vice President of Corporate Affairs.  “We have developed a project that will bring long-term good-paying jobs to this community, while also ensuring the highest levels of marine safety and the protection of our natural environment.”

If approved, the Woodfibre LNG project will create at least 650 jobs per year during construction and about 100 jobs during operation. Woodfibre has also offered to contribute at least $2 million in local taxes each year, an amount that would help shift the tax burden away from homeowners in Squamish.

In addition, Woodfibre has committed to run its proposed liquefaction project off electric power, which will reduce potential greenhouse gas emissions (GHG) by approximately 80 per cent. Approval of the project will also mean additional remediation of the former Woodfibre Pulp and Paper Mill site to modern industrial standards.

“The conversations we’ve been having throughout the Sea-to-Sky Corridor have led to important changes that make our project better, and we look forward to hearing from people during this new phase of public consultation,” said Giraud.

“From the very beginning, Woodfibre LNG has worked to design a project that is right for Squamish and right for B.C., with good jobs, opportunities for local businesses and contractors, and that protects the environment, on land and water. The Environmental Assessment Review is a critical part of that process,” he added.

The public will be invited by the Environmental Assessment Office to provide input on the Woodfibre LNG project proposal during the 45-day Public Comment Period, which will run from January 22, 2015 to March 9, 2015. The Environmental Assessment Office will hold public meetings during this time in Squamish, West Vancouver and on Bowen Island.

The Environmental Assessment Office conducted a pre-application public consultation in June and July of 2014.  Woodfibre LNG conducted an additional 14 public meetings in two rounds of community consultation (February and June 2014). Woodfibre LNG has also participated in more than 300 meetings in the community, as well as two telephone town halls.

Woodfibre’s complete application will be available online at eao.gov.bc.ca when the application review period begins January 13, 2015. For more information about the project, please visit http://woodfibretemp.ca.s57436.gridserver.com/ or send an email to [email protected]

About Woodfibre LNG

Woodfibre LNG Limited is proposing the development and operation of a liquefied natural gas (LNG) production facility and floating LNG storage at the former Woodfibre Pulp and Paper Mill near Squamish.

The Woodfibre LNG Project comprises construction and operation of a gas processing and liquefaction facility to produce approximately 2.1 million metric tonnes per annum of LNG, associated storage capacity of 250,000 cubic metres, and export infrastructure.

The Project is owned and operated by Woodfibre LNG Limited, a privately held Canadian company based in Vancouver with an office in Calgary and a Community Office in Squamish.

Woodfibre LNG is a subsidiary of Pacific Oil & Gas Limited, which is part of the Singapore-based RGE group of companies.  RGE, also known as Royal Golden Eagle, comprises a group of world-class companies focused on resource-based manufacturing industries. Assets held by RGE companies exceed US$15 billion with a combined workforce of 50,000 people worldwide.

The proposed Project is subject to review under British Columbia’s Environmental Assessment Act and the Canadian Environmental Assessment Act.

Locations and dates for Environmental Assessment Office Open Houses are as follows:

SQUAMISH 

Wednesday, January 28, 2015
4:00 pm to 8:00 pm
CN Roundhouse & Convention Centre, 39645 Government Road, Squamish

DISTRICT OF WEST VANCOUVER

Thursday, January 29, 2015
5:00 pm to 9:00 pm
Caulfeild Elementary School, 4685 Keith Road, West Vancouver

BOWEN ISLAND

Friday, January 30, 2015
4:00 pm to 8:00 pm
Bowen Island Community School, 1041 Mt. Gardner Road, Bowen Island