Newsletter: LNG a plus for First Nations and Canada

LNG a plus for First Nations and Canada

Chief Councillor Crystal Smith of the Haisla Nation (and chair of our First Nations LNG Alliance) talks of LNG and her nation’s Cedar LNG project being a huge plus for First Nations — and not just hers.

In an interview with Julie Gaudreau of the International Gas Union, for Energy Magazine  from the Canadian Gas Association, Chief Crystal said:

“We’re not just changing and having an impact on people’s lives of today. I truly believe that what we’re creating in our community [and] the way that we’ve taken our people along for this journey, is something that’s going to be generationally positive: there are going to be huge positive impacts for many generations because we’re creating role models in a way.

“Opportunities that we see with LNG Canada, and with Coastal GasLink – and this is just one way the energy project is a very dynamic opportunity – have many different ripple effects that we’re seeing as we take into consideration the impact of people coming into our territory.”

And, she said, “ This project just doesn’t benefit Haisla. Yes, it is in Haisla territory. But we’re sharing that wealth, sharing that opportunity, and coming together with other nations and we’re able to solve more issues coming together in a positive manner.”

Opinion: LNG’s economic benefits for British Columbians are real and meaningful

That headline is from a guest column in The Vancouver Sun, with our Alliance CEO, Karen Ogen-Toews, listed as a co-author.

Its second headline: “B.C. has an abundance of low-carbon natural resources and significantly higher environmental and human rights standards relative to competing producers.”

Cedar LNG decision by Dec. 31?

There’s been no confirmation from the governments involved, but two news outlets report that federal and provincial decisions are due by year-end on the Cedar LNG project of the Haisla Nation and Pembina Pipeline.

The Alberta government’s Canadian Energy Centre said, via Troy Media: “The Haisla Nation and Pembina Pipeline are primed to hear by the end of this year whether they can build one of the largest #Indigenous-owned infrastructure projects in Canada’s history. . . .

“The Cedar LNG regulatory decision is now up to the B.C. government and the federal Minister of the Environment and Climate Change.”

And Business in Vancouver earlier told readers: “Their decisions on Cedar LNG are expected by the end of December.”

 Ksi Lisims LNG export licence approved

There was some good federal government news about the Ksi Lisims LNG project proposed in BC by the Nisga’a Nation, with partners Rockies LNG and Western LNG.

The Canada Energy Regulator approved a licence for the project to export natural gas as LNG — up to 22.4 billion cubic metres of gas a year for 40 years.

That is not approval for the project itself, but confirmation that the energy regulator estimates Canada has enough natural gas underground to meet Ksi Lisims’ needs for that many years, and, as well, meet the long-term needs of other Canadian LNG projects and domestic demand.

Morice River crossing to be finished soon

There was big interest online in our blog that explained what’s happening with the tunnel project to carry the Coastal GasLink pipeline under the Morice River in northern BC.

We noted: “CGL reports that the tunneling process is anticipated to be completed this winter, which will mark the completion of all 10 major watercourse crossings on the pipeline route.”

And the blog went on to look at the technology and technique of the crossing. It will carry the natural-gas pipeline a full 11 metres under the river, without affecting the river bed, the water, or the salmon, steelhead, and trout that populate it.

Says Coastal GasLink: “Trenchless crossings are proven to allow pipe to be installed under the water body without ever affecting the flow of the river or stream. Currently there are thousands of trenchless crossings throughout BC, operating safely under rivers and streams of all sizes.”

ALSO IN THE NEWS

  • How big is the Western Canada Sedimentary Basin? Bigger than Peru: http://ow.ly/MzrC50LZ4MU
  • Stewart Muir of Resource Works: “Gas has an important role to play in meeting 1.5C climate targets.” http://ow.ly/7yaI50M1HlA
  • Independent Contractors and Businesses Association of BC on its reward of up to $100,000 re: Feb. 17 axe-attack on CoastalGasLink workers and equipment: http://ow.ly/ytrp50M2aB0
  • Five Coastal GasLink protesters sentenced after pleading guilty to criminal contempt: http://ow.ly/5O3S50M1Gz0
  • ‘Painful to watch’ — Canada stuck in neutral as US and Qatar accelerate LNG deals with Europe: http://ow.ly/nsqo50M0q4b
  • New BC Crown corporation to advance First Nations’ reconciliation through $500-million pool: http://ow.ly/OB6150M4RF1

DATES

January

February

April

  • The First Nation’s Major Projects Coalition’s Values Driven Economy Conference, April 24-25, Vancouver. Draft agenda online: http://ow.ly/Ik1b50M2NXL

May

  • Canada Gas and LNG Exhibition and Conference, May 9-11, Vancouver: http://ow.ly/YxcZ50LjFM1
  • The Forward Summit 2023, May 17-18, Grey Eagle Resort & Casino near Calgary. Registration: http://ow.ly/Q8ZV50K7FYb (Note that there’s an Indigenous discount.)

June

September

October

2024

  • The International Gas Research Conference, May 13-16. Our Karen Ogen-Toews is on the national organizing committee. Conference website: https://igrc2024.org/

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(Newsletter of 22 December 2022, posted here 26 December 2022)

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