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Feedback on Woodfibre LNG proposal sought by feds

BC Environmental Assessment Office extends comment period for Garibaldi at Squamish
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QUICK COMMENT Anyone with thoughts on a proposed liquefied natural gas facility planned for the western side of Howe Sound is encouraged to share those thoughts with the Canadian Environmental Assessment Agency by Monday, Jan. 6. Graphic submitted

The federal government is looking for public comment on the liquefied natural gas (LNG) plant proposed for the western side of Howe Sound and the deadline for submissions is Monday, Jan. 6.

The Canadian Environmental Assessment Agency (CEAA) wants to know if a federal environmental assessment of the proposed LNG facility is needed for the project proposed by Woodfibre Natural Gas Limited (WNGL), a subsidiary of Pacific Oil and Gas Group based in Singapore. The CEAA is looking for comments from the public on the project and its potential effects on the environment.

The B.C. government wants the CEAA to allow the province to head up the environmental assessment for the plant so the CEAA is also looking for comments on this issue also.

The CEAA will only allow the province to take over the environmental assessment if the provincial assessment includes meaningful public participation in the assessment.

B.C. premier Christy Clark has made it clear her government supports LNG facility developments along the B.C. coast.

The CEAA appeal for feedback comes after the National Energy Board approved a WNGL application for a license to export LNG.

The B.C. Environmental Assessment Office is currently looking at a FortisBC application to expand the pipeline that supplies natural gas to Woodfibre. The comment period in a pre-application process closed Monday, Dec. 16. Nineteen comments were submitted, with 17 of the comments expressing opposition to the pipeline expansion project.

More information on the CEAA comment period associated with the LNG proposal is posted on its website. The federal agency is accepting comments by fax at 604-666-6990 or through email messages sent to Woodfibre@ceaa-acee.gc.ca.

Meanwhile, the comment period for another major project proposal has been extended by seven days. The BC Environmental Assessment Office originally planned to stop accepting comments on the Garibaldi at Squamish resort proposal on Tuesday, Jan. 7. The new deadline is now set for Tuesday, Jan. 14.

A new website opposing the resort recently launched. The site at www.savebrohm.org offers information on expected environmental impacts, opinions on viability of the project and economic impacts. The site also offers suggestions for taking action to oppose the development.

There’s more information on how to submit a comment at www.eao.gov.bc.ca.