SQUAMISH, BC – Woodfibre LNG today announced that the Environmental Assessment Office has accepted its application for an Environmental Assessment Certificate. The Project will now enter a 180-day Application Review Phase on January 13, 2015.
“Woodfibre LNG’s application reflects the feedback we’ve received from the community and it addresses people’s priorities for the project,” said Byng Giraud, Vice President of Corporate Affairs. “We have developed a project that will bring long-term good-paying jobs to this community, while also ensuring the highest levels of marine safety and the protection of our natural environment.” If approved, the Woodfibre LNG project will create at least 650 jobs per year during construction and about 100 jobs during operation. Woodfibre has also offered to contribute at least $2 million in local taxes each year, an amount that would help shift the tax burden away from homeowners in Squamish.
In addition, Woodfibre has committed to run its proposed liquefaction project off electric power, which will reduce potential greenhouse gas emissions (GHG) by approximately 80 per cent. Approval of the project will also mean additional remediation of the former Woodfibre Pulp and Paper Mill site to modern industrial standards.
“The conversations we’ve been having throughout the Sea-to-Sky Corridor have led to important changes that make our project better, and we look forward to hearing from people during this new phase of public consultation,” said Giraud.
“From the very beginning, Woodfibre LNG has worked to design a project that is right for Squamish and right for B.C., with good jobs, opportunities for local businesses and contractors, and that protects the environment, on land and water. The Environmental Assessment Review is a critical part of that process,” he added.
The public will be invited by the Environmental Assessment Office to provide input on the Woodfibre LNG project proposal during the 45-day Public Comment Period, which will run from January 22, 2015 to March 9, 2015. The Environmental Assessment Office will hold public meetings during this time in Squamish, West Vancouver and on Bowen Island.
The Environmental Assessment Office conducted a pre-application public consultation in June and July of 2014. Woodfibre LNG conducted an additional 14 public meetings in two rounds of community consultation (February and June 2014). Woodfibre LNG has also participated in more than 300 meetings in the community, as well as two telephone town halls.