Letter: Workers, Women and Woodfibre LNG
The following Letter to the Editor originally appeared in the Squamish Post on 15 November 2023. I’ll be honest with you, I used to be against the Woodfibre LNG project....
The Woodfibre LNG Project received environmental approval from the Canadian federal government on March 18, 2016. This caps off more than two and a half years of intense work by the Woodfibre LNG team and its consultants. (see news release)
The Woodfibre LNG Project is a modestly-sized liquefied natural gas (LNG) processing and export facility, located at the former Woodfibre pulp mill site, about seven kilometres southwest of Squamish, British Columbia.
It is licensed to export about 2.1 million tonnes of LNG per year. Target markets include Pacific Rim markets such as Japan, South Korea and China.
Above: [Throwback] A March 19, 2015 project video on the benefits Woodfibre LNG will bring to the Squamish community and British Columbia.
Commitments and Government Approvals
A 2014 artist rendering of the Woodfibre LNG Project. Following government environmental approval 2 years later, construction will begin soon.
The federal government environmental approval followed the October 14, 2015 Squamish Nation Environmental Assessment Certificate issued by Squamish Nation Council to the Woodfibre LNG Project. Woodfibre LNG Limited is required to meet legally binding conditions of this agreement.
The British Columbia Environmental Assessment Office later issued an Environmental Assessment Certificate for the Project on October 26, 2015.
The conditions of the environmental reviews are to be incorporated into the detailed design work and planning for the construction and operation of the Woodfibre LNG project, which is identified by trade publication World Gas Intelligence to be the LNG player with the best chance of forging ahead.
Compliant, Consultative, Community-focused
Woodfibre LNG supports community development programmes in Squamish
Woodfibre LNG Limited’s approach during the application and review process was not merely one aimed at compliance, but incorporated a consultative approach that has resulted in meaningful changes to the Project.
Remaining environmentally-conscious, the facility will be powered by electricity instead of natural gas, making it one of the cleanest LNG facilities in the world. The Project also involves a cleanup of the site to modern industrial standards. There will also be the creation of a green zone around Mill Creek, which runs through the middle of the project site.
The Project is expected to create sustained economic growth in the region while continuing to support existing work to improve Howe Sound. Woodfibre LNG Limited remains committed to working with the community, educational institutions and the government in Howe Sound, and has the intention, when possible, to fill positions and contracts locally.
Above: Woodfibre LNG Community Sponsorship Program plays its part to support community development.
Engaging, consulting and supporting the community
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