Thoughts on BC Politics and More

A pipeline project jointly owned by the Nisga’a Nation and a Houston-based company is seeking Indigenous equity partners as the B.C. government prepares to rule on the fate of the proposed route across northern British Columbia. The provincial government is reviewing an environmental regulator’s draft report in order to render the decision on the future of Prince Rupert Gas Transmission (PRGT) Ltd., which would transport natural gas from northeast B.C. to the West Coast. The BC Environmental Assessment Office’s 24-page draft report, obtained by The Globe and Mail, said PRGT is currently co-owned 50-50 by the Nisga’a and Western LNG. “PRGT Ltd. stated that it created equity ownership opportunities for any First Nation,” according to the draft report. The pipeline project‘s co-owners also say they are committed to providing employment to Indigenous people ... CLICK HERE for the full story

British Columbia’s Environment Minister is slated to rule on the fate of a controversial pipeline proposal in the spring after she reviews arguments from the project’s backers and opponents over whether a crucial deadline has been met ... ... The BC Environmental Assessment Office will be preparing a report to inform Ms. Davidson in making her ruling, though she also has the option to delegate the decision to Alex MacLennan, the regulator’s chief executive assessment officer. “If the decision maker finds the project is not substantially started, the certificate expires and the project cannot proceed without a new environmental assessment and new certificate granted,” the regulator said ... CLICK HERE for the full story