Woodfibre LNG Project Receives Environmental Approval from Federal Government

SQUAMISH, BC — Woodfibre LNG Limited announced today that the Woodfibre LNG Project has received environmental approval from the federal government.  In Ottawa, the Minister of Environment and Climate Change Catherine McKenna issued a decision statement under the Canadian Environmental Assessment Act, 2012, stating that the Woodfibre LNG Project is not likely to cause significant adverse environmental effects. The federal decision follows the October 2015 provincial approval of the project, and concludes the project’s environmental assessment review process.

The Woodfibre LNG Project is a modestly-sized liquefied natural gas (LNG) processing and export facility, located at the former Woodfibre pulp mill site, about seven kilometres southwest of Squamish, British Columbia.

“Receiving federal environmental approval marks the conclusion of more than two and a half years of intensive work by the Woodfibre LNG team and our engineering, environmental, and shipping consultants,” said Byng Giraud, Country Manager and Vice President, Corporate Affairs, Woodfibre LNG Limited,  “something every member of the Woodfibre LNG team can be proud of.”

“What I am equally proud of is how our conversations in the community to better understand local priorities and our work with First Nations have informed the project so  we can build a better project, for Squamish and BC.”

The Woodfibre LNG project underwent a substituted environmental assessment process, whereby the BC Environmental Assessment Office (EAO) coordinated the review process on behalf of both the EAO and the Canadian Environment Assessment Agency.

On October 26, 2015, the EAO issued an Environmental Assessment Certificate to Woodfibre LNG Limited for its proposed Woodfibre LNG project.

The project must meet all provincial and federal requirements, including environmental assessment conditions related to pre-construction, construction, operation, and decommissioning, to responsibly manage potential effects associated with the proposed project.

The Woodfibre LNG site is located on the traditional territory of Squamish Nation.  On October 14, 2015, Squamish Nation Council announced it had approved an Environmental Assessment Agreement and issued a Squamish Nation Environmental Assessment Certificate for the Woodfibre LNG project.  The agreement includes legally binding conditions that Woodfibre LNG Limited is required to meet for the project to move forward.
“In truth, the real work is just beginning for our project team,” said Giraud.  “We now have to take all the conditions from the three environmental reviews and ensure they are incorporated in the detailed design work and planning for construction and operation of the Woodfibre LNG project.”