TERRACE (March 14, 2023) – Skeena MLA Ellis Ross, the BC Liberal Shadow Minister for Energy and LNG, expressed his thoughts following the recently-announced Cedar LNG export facility in Kitimat.
“Today’s NDP announcement is long overdue, and I am extremely gratified that an initiative we worked on behalf of the Haisla people finally got the respect it deserves from the provincial government,” says Ross. “Countries around the world are looking for a safe transitional fuel source and B.C. can be a leader in this transition by providing a secure source of clean and ethical LNG. This Indigenous-owned project is one of the greatest examples of economic reconciliation that started in B.C. as far back as 2004. Today’s news is a positive step forward, and I sincerely hope Cedar LNG is granted similar tax breaks to those received by LNG Canada.”
While LNG will continue to be critical as many states move towards a carbon-neutral future and energy independence, the NDP government’s delays in approving projects hinders our province from being a leader in this industry. British Columbia must step up to provide a better, transitional alternative — one that benefits B.C. communities, as well as nations across the globe.
“A glaring issue in this approval is whether British Columbia has the electrical infrastructure needed for the turbines that are supposed to power this plant,” says Ross. “We know it is questionable whether or not the B.C. government can accommodate this when it comes to LNG Canada phase 2 — is Cedar LNG going to face the same issue?”
Although this announcement is a long-awaited step in the right direction, this project likely has many more hurdles to jump through. The current wait for permits is unacceptable, and this NDP government has only made things worse. Cedar LNG will likely be waiting a very long time for further approvals which will further slow down this project, similar to the wait that LNG Canada is facing.
“Let’s hope we don’t see further NDP delays when it comes to approving the second phase of the LNG Canada project. This project has the potential to double the annual capacity of shipments, elevating our role as a supplier of LNG to the rest of the world,” added Ross. “Our BC Liberal caucus has repeatedly raised this issue, and unfortunately it has been largely dismissed by this NDP government. Premier Eby and this government must give LNG Canada a definitive answer on whether they will have to use gas turbines or provide the infrastructure for electrified turbines to ensure B.C. becomes a leading hub for ethical LNG.”
Premier Eby is set to visit Asia in the coming days, and the hope is that the multiple LNG projects will be part of his discussion during his time there. The Opposition urges the Premier to take this opportunity to promote British Columbia’s potential as a leader in LNG production.
