Opponents of liquefied natural gas (LNG) in the Saanich Inlet need to be prepared for the year 2025.

ThatB次元官网网址檚 when they expect economic conditions to be ripe for further LNG development in British Columbia, leading to the possible return of Steelhead LNG, the company proposing a floating gas plant in the Inlet, along with undersea pipeline and tanker ships, in a .

Members of the North Saanich residentsB次元官网网址� association PROW (Property Responsibility On the Waterfront) told attendees of a recent Saanich Inlet Roundtable meeting they are still waiting to learn of the status of Steelhead LNGB次元官网网址檚 environmental assessment application and other provincial and federal regulatory processes. PROW spokesperson Brian Goodman said they are paying attention so they can be part of any process.

B次元官网网址淚s this project in the public interest?B次元官网网址� has asked the crowd. B次元官网网址淭his is the question before us now. And our focus is on the question: is the Saanich Inlet the right place for industrial developments?B次元官网网址�

To date, side of the Inlet, as well as two municipalities ( and ) have already answered that with an emphatic B次元官网网址榥oB次元官网网址�. And while current economics do not appear favourable for such a project, Goodman continued, Steelhead LNG is still working towards this project, should those economics change. On its website, Steelhead LNG states that at some point in 2018, they will make a decision whether to proceed.

B次元官网网址淭hereB次元官网网址檚 a lot of time for this thing to come back,B次元官网网址� Goodman said, noting that while First Nations on this side of the water oppose it, the Malahat First Nation voted to approve it and support creating jobs.

Saanich North and the Islands MLA Adam Olsen reiterated his own opposition to the project, noting he has tried to meet with Steelhead LNG but that has not yet happened. Even so, Olsen said First NationsB次元官网网址� Douglas Treaty rights over the Saanich Inlet will ensure the project doesnB次元官网网址檛 happen.

B次元官网网址淎ll it takes is one member of a Douglas Treaty nation to say no,B次元官网网址� he said. B次元官网网址淎nd if [Steelhead LNG] do not understand this, they will not be successful.B次元官网网址�

MP Elizabeth May, who was also at the roundtable session at the SHOAL Centre in Sidney Oct. 12, focused her critique of the project on what she calls a B次元官网网址渟hocking, irrelevant process of analysis and risk analysisB次元官网网址� within the LNG industry as a whole and on such projects as the now-defunct Petronas plan for LNG on Lelu Island near Prince Rupert.

B次元官网网址淚B次元官网网址檓 opposed to the LNG industry as a whole,B次元官网网址� she continued, B次元官网网址渁s it relies on fracking.B次元官网网址�

editor@peninsulanewsreview.com
Like us on and follow us on