The First Nations LNG Alliance welcomes the announcements that BC and Canada have approved the Haisla Nation’s $3-billion Cedar LNG project.
“This is a tremendous achievement for the Haisla First Nation” Alliance CEO Karen Ogen said. “Cedar LNG and the Coastal GasLink pipeline that delivers the gas show the world that First Nations with courage and vision can work together at a very high level to advance responsible energy projects that benefit everyone.
“Now that the BC and federal governments have issued their approvals, a final investment decision can be made and the onerous work of permitting and construction can begin.”
Ogen continued: “The Alliance shares the internationally accepted view that liquefied natural gas is the only practical energy source to reduce carbon emissions while at the same time offering immediate opportunities to reconcile indigenous economies.
“We are therefore optimistic that Premier David Eby’s announcement of an ‘energy action network’ setting the framework for future projects will encourage support for other imminent projects that involve First Nations participation.
“We fully support the First Nations who are working and investing to bring those projects to completion, and note that these have already been designed to achieve ‘net zero’. We also recognize the future challenges and opportunities involved in massive electrification and other infrastructure that will be necessary to secure BC’s position in a low-carbon international economy.
“However, the Alliance will be alert to the possibility that the emission caps confirmed in the Premier’s announcement may take on a life of their own without regard for the short-term consequences on our communities. Most of our members still live on the economic margin and will be the first and last to bear the consequences of reckless decarbonization policies.”
And Ogen added: “We are also aware that tremendous pressure was brought by some British Columbia MLAs and NGOs to reject Cedar LNG. We urge those individuals to reconsider their positions and accept the premier’s observation that environmental protection and economic development must move forward together.
“The developing world is simply not going to accept perpetual poverty to satisfy Canadian climate goals that have negligible impact on overall global emissions.
“It is better for us to work together to promote transition strategies that reduce net emissions while providing economic hope to our impoverished communities and the province as a whole.”
Cedar LNG is a proposed floating LNG facility at Kitimat BC, in the territory of the Haisla Nation. The project is led by the Haisla Nation, in partnership with Pembina Pipeline Corporation. Learn more.
(Posted here 16 March 2023)
