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Woodfibre LNG gets province’s approval
Project gets environmental green light, faces more hurdles JANE SEYD jseyd@nsnews.com
The provincial government has given the proposed Woodfibre liquefied natural gas export facility in Howe Sound environmental approval, despite concerns expressed by local municipalities and
environmental groups opposed to the project. On Monday, B.C. Environment Minister Mary Polak and Natural Gas Development Minister Rich Coleman issued the project an environmental assessment certificate, subject to 25 conditions. The provincial decision comes after the Squamish
Nation council recently gave the project its own conditional green light in a 12-2 vote, following a separate environmental assessment. Byng Giraud, vicepresident of corporate affairs for Woodfibre LNG, described the province’s environmental approval as “a significant milestone, but one of many.” In particular, Woodfibre still needs approval from the new
federal government before it can go ahead with what Giraud described as a “final investment decision.” “Obviously we’re watching closely to see what the federal government’s going to do,” said Giraud. “We still need the federal approvals.” Both prime ministerdesignate Justin Trudeau and new Liberal MP for West Vancouver-Sunshine Coast- Sea to Sky
Country, Pam GoldsmithJones, were noncommittal about the Woodfibre project when asked about it during the election campaign. Woodfibre Natural Gas Ltd. – owned by Pacific Oil and Gas – wants to liquefy and export 2.1-million tonnes of LNG per year at a plant built on the site of a former pulp mill near Squamish. If approved, the $1.6-billion facility would ship 40 double-hulled LNG
tankers to Asia each year. For the past two years, the proposed project has pit residents throughout the Howe Sound corridor who question possible environmental impacts and safety risks against others who see the project providing jobs and a needed economic boost. West Vancouver council was one of several local municipalities that voted See Activist page 3
CNV council calls for one-zone SeaBus fares JUSTIN BEDDALL newsroom@nsnews.com
City of North Van staff are concerned that recently reduced bus fares may cause transit users to avoid SeaBus trips to save money – which could further strain already overloaded bus routes. As of Oct.5, bus riders travelling between North Vancouver and Vancouver now pay a standard onezone fare of $2.75. A commute across the Burrard Inlet aboard the SeaBus costs $4. That’s because as TransLink has started rolling out its new tap-in, tap-out, See Fare page 8
PARK PROJECT Family and friends of late Squamish Nation hereditary Chief Mathias Joe celebrate at the groundbreaking and blessing ceremony Friday for upgrades to his eponymous park. Renovations to the Lower Lonsdale park will incorporate natural materials. The late chief’s granddaughter, Margaret Prince Mathias Joe, hugs Gerda Mathias in her mother’s 100-year-old regalia with brother Rocky wearing his dad’s regalia. PHOTO MIKE WAKEFIELD
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