Our last blog reported that our Canadian natural gas and LNG are poised for “significant growth.”
And as that future shapes up, there has been some “significant growth” in news stories and headlines about our LNG, and the role of First Nations in its development.
Geoff Russ, for one, wrote in National Post: “B.C.’s transformation into a major player in oil and gas has been a triumph. . . . Liquefied natural gas (LNG) facilities are springing up along B.C.’s coastline, driving technological innovation and unprecedented reconciliation with First Nations.”
He went on to say: “It is a safe bet that the B.C. coast will play host to at least three major LNG facilities when all is said and done.
“Importantly, the trio of planned LNG hubs all feature extensive involvement of three First Nations, all of whom will have taken huge steps towards economic independence once the projects are completed.”
He cited three projects in British Columbia: the Haisla Nation’s planned Cedar LNG project, the partner-and-regulatory role of the Squamish Nation in the Woodfibre LNG project (which is under construction) and the Nisga’a Nation’s proposed Ksi Lisims LNG project.
“The debate over the place of energy in B.C. has been decisively won. With the expansion of LNG and oil infrastructure in the province, there is now no reason why it should not be regarded as an energy powerhouse alongside Alberta.”
(The story could have mentioned two other projects: FortisBC’s expansion of its Tilbury LNG plant in Delta BC, and a related nearby marine jetty. The Musqueam Nation has a partnership agreement for both.)
Meanwhile, reporter Nelson Bennett took a look in Business in Vancouver at the Ksi Lisims LNG project proposed by the Nisga’a and Pembina Pipeline. And at the planned PRGT pipeline that, with some re-routing, will feed natural gas to it. The Nisga’a are partnered with Western LNG on this pipeline.
“The route cuts through territories of 21 First Nations. The fact that Nisga’a is an equal partner in the pipeline is no guarantee the venture won’t experience the same kind of opposition faced by CGL.” (CGL is the Coastal GasLink pipeline that feeds the LNG Canada project that is under construction at Kitimat BC, on Haisla territory.)
Bennett continued: “Gitanyow hereditary chiefs have already begun to telegraph objections to the PRGT, despite the fact the Gitanyow were among the First Nations to sign a project agreement in support of the project in 2015.”
The story quoted Karen Ogen, CEO of our First Nations LNG Alliance as saying First Nations communities that signed benefits agreements with CGL — including her own Wetʼsuwetʼen Nation — are seeing economic benefits flow from the pipeline.
“The nations now are reaping the benefits from agreements signed with the company and with the province,” she said.
“I can say for my home community that we have more housing now. We have clean drinking water being brought to our community. I can safely say that our community is flourishing with these agreements.”
The Coastal GasLink pipeline runs under the territory of 20 nations. They have an option to take a 10% equity interest in the pipeline, and are exploring that.
Business in Vancouver also quoted Rebecca Scott, senior manager of communications for Western LNG, as saying benefits agreements signed with First Nations along the original PRGT pipeline route will be honoured and refreshed.
She said nations will also be offered the opportunity to take equity positions in the pipeline. This will include First Nations whose core territory now will be bypassed because of the reconfigured pipeline route.
“Those project agreements will be updated to reflect new procurement information (and) inflationary changes. Our rerouting will not negatively impact any economic opportunities in any of the nations.”
And to top off all the good news, there was an update of a column by our Alliance CeO, Karen Ogen, in The Toronto Star: “Choosing Canadian LNG means we are choosing Indigenous LNG.”
Ogen continued: “From Bay Street to British Columbia and beyond, we are calling on banks, investors, private equity firms, governments and stakeholders to stand alongside Indigenous people in our journey to create prosperity for our communities and all Canadians. . . .
“For too long, we have had an Indigenous energy gap across the country. Simply put, we have not had the same access to energy as non-Indigenous people. So, while activist groups are opposing investments in Canadian energy projects, we are forging relationships to bring our people out of poverty and into prosperity.
“It’s working. Through significant partnerships, including ownership stakes and business agreements, Indigenous people are leading the way when it comes to LNG development in Canada.”
- Geoff Russ in National Post: https://ow.ly/mkUP50SZhq4
- Nelson Bennett in Business in Vancouver: https://ow.ly/EB2A50SZBl7
- Karen Ogen in The Toronto Star: https://ow.ly/1zIJ50SZGVp
- About Cedar LNG: https://ow.ly/NBrr50SPWNW
- About Ksi Lisims LNG: https://ow.ly/JXuy50SPWNV
- About Woodfibre LNG: https://ow.ly/1BYU50SVnsM
- About FortisBC: https://ow.ly/NOAZ50T0GeE
- About LNG Canada: https://ow.ly/lVum50SVntn
(Posted here 21 August 2024)
