Woodfibre LNG is proud to have Sḵwx̱wú7mesh Úxwumixw  (Squamish Nation) as both a project partner and an environmental regulator.

On October 14, 2015, Sḵwx̱wú7mesh Úxwumixw Council voted to approve an Environmental Assessment Agreement for the proposed Woodfibre LNG project, and issued an Environmental Certificate to Woodfibre LNG.

The agreement comes from Sḵwx̱wú7mesh Úxwumixw independent assessment of the project; a process that began in May 2013 when Woodfibre LNG first applied to undergo a Squamish Nation environmental review.

Woodfibre LNG is responsible for 13 of the conditions identified in the agreement. The remaining conditions are the responsibility of FortisBC and the Province of British Columbia. We are actively working with the Sḵwx̱wú7mesh Úxwumixw technical and leadership teams to ensure that each of these conditions are fully met. We will continue to work with the Sḵwx̱wú7mesh Úxwumixw to ensure these conditions are met throughout the life of the project. 

We are proud to recognize the Sḵwx̱wú7mesh Úxwumixw as a regulator of the Woodfibre project and we acknowledge that their role as a regulator continues to enhance the project for the benefit of the local environment, economy, and community. 

Making the Switch from Seawater Cooling to Air Cooling

One of the conditions in our Environmental Assessment Certificate requires that the Sḵwx̱wú7mesh Úxwumixw be given authority to select the appropriate cooling method for the Woodfibre LNG project. 

Seawater cooling was originally proposed by Woodfibre LNG as the cooling method for the project. Concerns were raised during the environmental assessment process about the potential impact that this might have on marine life and habitat in Howe Sound. 

The Sḵwx̱wú7mesh Úxwumixw conducted an independent review of three cooling techniques: seawater cooling, air cooling, and air cooling with freshwater spray. Air cooling became the method selected by the Sḵwx̱wú7mesh Úxwumixw Council in October of 2016. Woodfibre LNG has fully incorporated this decision into the project proposal and the design of the facility.