Northwest LNG pipeline project heads for public comment phase

They’re breaking out the pamphlets and videos for sessions across the Northwest, designed to seek approval of the proposed 1.1 billion dollar Liquefied Natural Gas pipeline that will run from Kitimat to north of Prince George at Summit Lake.

The project a partnership between Galveston LNG and Pacific Northern Gas, requires the construction of a 500 million dollar LNG terminal in Kitimat where the liquefied product will be received from gas laden ships from offshore and re-gasified at Kitimat for transit on the pipeline network.

Part of the process involves public commentary on the proceedings and more information can be found from the Environmental Assessment Office portal at the BC Government website found here.

The hearings take place over the next two weeks at various locations from Terrace and Kitimat, through the Bulkley Valley and on to Vanderhoof.

The official 45 day comment period comes to an end on November 30th. The Daily news featured details of the proposal in Monday’s paper.


$1.1bn pipe proposed to snake across Northwest
By Leanne Ritchie
The Daily News
Monday, October 22, 2007

Pages one and three

A proposed Liquified Natural Gas (LNG) pipeline that will run from Kitimat to Summit Lake is being presented to the public for comment.

Pacific Trail Pipelines' $1.1-billion pipeline, which stretches 463-kilometre from the Kitimat LNG Terminal to just north of Prince George, is undergoing a 45-day public comment period that will end Nov. 30.

The project is a joint venture between Pacific Northern Gas and Kitimat LNG, which is a subsidiary of Galveston LNG.

"The BC Environmental Assessment Office (EAO) accepted the KSL Project's Application for an Environmental Assessment Certificate for review on Sept. 21, 2007. This review includes a formal comment period and a series of open houses along or near the proposed route," said the company is a news release. The nearest open house to Prince Rupert will be in Terrace Tue., Oct. 23, at the Best Western, from 5:30 to 8:30 p.m.

The project is dependent on a $500 million liquefied natural gas (LNG) terminal being constructed at Kitimat, but Pacific Northern Gas officials have been optimistic that will happen.
The pipeline project will create construction jobs but no new permanent jobs because Pacific Northern Gas already operates a natural gas pipeline between Prince Rupert and Summit Lake.
The idea is to liquefy natural gas by super-cooling it and transporting it on specially built ships. At Kitimat, the liquid would be turned back into gas and sent along the pipeline.

While the Pacific Trial Pipeline route will follow the existing Pacific Northern Gas pipeline between Summit Lake, just north of Prince George, and Endako, west of Fraser Lake, from there, the pipeline will take a new, more southern route to Kitimat.

Once the review period is complete, the B. C. Environmental Assessment Office will produce a report that outlines the scope of the project, its issues and how they have been addressed. The Minister of Environment makes the final decision on the project.

For more information on how to comment, or access the company’s environmental application visit http://www.eao.gov.bc.ca/projects/ksl_pipelinelooping/index.html

Other open houses will be from 5:30 p. m. to 8:30 pm:

--Monday, Oct. 22: Smithers, Hudson Bay Lodge
--Thursday, Oct. 25: Kitimat, Riverlodge
--Tuesday, Oct. 30 Burns Lake, Chamber of Commerce
--Wednesday, Oct. 31: Vanderhoof, Seniors Friendship Centre
--Friday, Nov.2 Summit Lake, Community Hall

With files from the Prince George Citizen