Newsletter: Calls step up for LNG in BC

by

Our newsletter of 16 February 2023

Calls step up for LNG in BC

What look like red flags from the BC government increased concerns that the David Eby administration might step away from predecessor John Horgan’s support for LNG development in BC.

First came an unexplained delay in ministerial approval for the Haisla Nation’s Cedar LNG project. The BC Environmental Assessment Office (BCEAO) completed its assessment last Nov. 16. The environment minister then had up to 45 days to make or postpone a decision. It was indeed postponed, and with no word on when the decision might come, or what it might be.

(The BCEAO ruled that Cedar LNG “would not have significant adverse effects on GHG emissions,” and “could have a positive impact on GHG emissions globally,” by replacing coal to produce power overseas.)

Then came a decree from Premier Ebv that future LNG projects must fit within BC’s  climate goals.

That came after LNG Canada announced that, because BC Hydro can’t deliver enough power, any Phase Two expansion of its Kitimat project would have to, at least initially, use natural gas to generate its electricity.
And from lower levels of government in Victoria we hear suggestions that any further LNG development in BC has to be in doubt because of both provincial and federal climate targets, including Net Zero by 2050.

After these signals from the BC government, supporters of LNG development were quick to back LNG development, in a flurry of social-media and website postings.

  • Alberta’s Canadian Energy Centre, for one, argued: “Demand for liquefied natural gas in Asia is skyrocketing. Canada can harness the power of LNG to help fuel growing economies in Asia while making a measurable difference in lowering global emissions. Learn more about Canada’s LNG opportunity here: https://bit.ly/3UWZwe7”
  • Canada Action declared: “Opposition to Canadian LNG only helps other suppliers, often with inferior human rights and environmental standards. Maximizing the value of our exports is the smart thing to do.”
  • Resource Works posted: “Canadian LNG will have the world’s lowest emissions intensity: It comes with a smaller footprint to start with. Here’s why: http://ow.ly/feLL50ML3cG
  • And the CEO of Enbridge (a partner in Woodfibre LNG) said a strength of Canadian LNG comes from Indigenous equity partnerships, ‘which not only allow projects to tap into environmental expertise that is second to none but help Indigenous partner communities prosper.’ http://ow.ly/kntt50MK0HT

And other supporters of responsible LNG development pushed the pro-LNG case. Many cited points made by LNG Canada’s CEO, Jason Klein, at the BC Natural Resources Forum in January, where he said:

“Our competitive advantages are . . . the low-cost abundance, the quality, (of natural-gas) resource reserves in the Western Canada Sedimentary Basin.

“We also benefit from a stable economy. We benefit from really good relationships with our partners, we benefit from our shipping distance, which is half of the distance from the US into Asia. And we have the benefit of being right on Asia’s doorstep.

“So there’s some estimates out there that say the (world) LNG market . . . will grow by 90%, and 75% of that growth is in Asia and no one is better placed, no one is better placed than Canada to supply that. . . .

“In addition to all of the technology choices we’ve made, and the clean upstream that we have here, that we are the lowest GHG emitting facility in the world.  . . . So all of those things line up to be very competitive for LNG Canada — and for all of the other LNG projects that will come behind us.”

  • If you’re with Jason Klein, and us, in support of LNG BC and how it can reduce world emissions, do let your BC MLA know that. Here’s how to find contact info for members of the BC legislature: http://ow.ly/fSWv50MNJtg

Trudeau squanders LNG opportunity

That’s the first line of a headline that The Prince George Citizen gave to a guest column by our Alliance CEO, Karen Ogen.

Karen began the column with this: “Prime Minister Trudeau’s reception of Japanese Prime Minister Kishida Fumio in January was more than the usual international embarrassment. It was a pair of world-class opportunities cast aside for no apparent reason.”

The lost opportunities?  Canadian LNG for Japan and for Germany.

Alliance getting two new members

The First Nations LNG Alliance has reached an agreement with the Canadian LNG Alliance and member companies to lead sustainable liquefied natural gas development and future exports on behalf of First Nations and industry across Canada.

And in March, two of BC’s most active LNG participants will join the Alliance. LNG Canada and FortisBC, both former members of the Canadian LNG Alliance, have been accepted as FNLNGA affiliate members.

“We have an incredible opportunity to develop a thriving LNG export business in B.C. and Canada, which for the first time in history is undertaken with full Indigenous participation,” said Alliance CEO Karen Ogen.

First Nations and alternate energies

 There’s more to First Nations and the Alliance than support for LNG. Wind energy is slowly growing across Canada, and First Nations have been playing a supportive part — and in some cases launching partnerships.

The Six Nations of the Grand River in Ontario is a partner in Canada’s largest battery project, with NRStor Inc. and Northland Power. It will in 2025 supply Ontario with power via Tesla’s Megapack system.

Ottawa named seven Indigenous leaders who will help guide the transition to clean energy in Indigenous, rural and remote communities.

And a new report from Coast Funds in BC notes initiatives that include the Community Energy Diesel Reduction program, a three-year, $29-million investment to support remote communities in implementing sustainable-energy projects and reducing their dependence on diesel fuel for electricity.

ALSO IN THE NEWS

  • TC Energy is ‘confident’ it will complete the $14.5-billion Coastal GasLink pipeline by year’s end: http://ow.ly/TRTa50MSxoT
  • More Indigenous business contracts are awarded to build Coastal GasLink: http://ow.ly/ExWh50MSxT7
  • New Enbridge CEO says Canada is suffering from a ‘lost decade’ for LNG production: http://ow.ly/BtvL50MRSb6
  • Pollster Mario Canseco found 55% of British Columbians want to allow for further development of the LNG industry: http://ow.ly/XCEw50MIrCA
  • Canada has the potential to be a natural-gas powerhouse, says Lisa Baiton, CEO of the Canadian Association of Petroleum Producers: http://ow.ly/6bIZ50MJ1rj
  • Woodfibre LNG in BC is slated to break ground in September. Working closely with the Squamish Nation in BC, Woodfibre is expected to be the lowest-emitting facility of its kind in the world. http://ow.ly/xOFa50MOSm3

 DATES

 February

March

April

  • From the First Nation’s Major Projects Coalition, the Values Driven Economy Conference, April 24-25, Vancouver. http://ow.ly/rWEE50MnKe6

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

July

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/

Know someone who might be interested in our newsletter? Please let them know that they can subscribe here, for free. You’ll also find us on Facebook, LinkedIn, and Twitter.

(Posted here 20 February 2023)

 

The First Nations LNG Alliance is a collective of First Nations who are participating in, and supportive of, sustainable LNG development in BC.

Explore Site

The First Nations LNG Alliance
Board Members
Staff
News
Blog
Events
Contact Us

First Nations supporting LNG
Infographics
Factsheets
Reports
Newsletters
Newsletter Archive
Videos

First Nations LNG Alliance Newsletter