The Environmental Assessment Office of B.C., along with Spectra Energy, hosted an open house on Thursday to give residents information about the proposed Westcoast Connector Gas Transmission project.
Spectra Energy is proposing to construct and operate a new natural gas system from the Cypress area of northeast B.C. to a proposed LNG export facility at Ridley Island, near Prince Rupert.
About 50 people attended, which Spectra Energy community coordinator Mark Amundrud said was higher than they’ve seen in Terrace and Prince Rupert recently but less than they normally see in Hazelton.
The proposed project would be an approximately 850 kilometre long natural gas pipeline. Spectra Energy is envisioning this project to be a natural gas transportation corridor that can allow for up to two pipelines, three metering facilities and up to five compressor stations. If a second pipeline was to be built, it would be constructed after the first one and would require further permitting.
“It is really a way to commercialize the gas that B.C. has an abundance of as well create opportunities for British Columbians,” explained Mel Johnson, general manager of Spectra Energy for the project.
“While these projects are being developed there is an incredible amount of study work that gets done. So all of the studies that take place, whether it be fish, wildlife, or wetlands or socioeconomic studies, are being done out in the field, there are opportunities for local businesses and local people to work on those studies.”
He said this project could also create more than 4,000 jobs during construction, if it gets approved, and 60 permanent ones once the system has been built.
Johnson also mentioned the area is already seeing some of the benefits through the open houses. The event was catered by a local company and the employees and the people from the environmental assessment office are staying in hotels, shopping and eating at local restaurants.
However, not everyone in the area sees this project as an opportunity for Hazelton. A different type of gathering was held at the same time just outside of Hazelton Elementary where the Westcoast Connector Gas Transmission open house was held.
Kispiox Valley resident Graeme Pole helped to organize the rally.
“They are inside the building with their corporate thing and we outside on the street with a free open air house. People can grab a bite and get some independently researched material, not the corporate line on the project.”
He isn’t shy about his feelings towards this or any of the other proposed LNG projects.
“I’m dead set against it, for a multitude of reasons. Any way you slice it, these projects will be bad for the environment. It relies on fracked gas, it will create tremendous emissions in the fracking fields and along the pipeline and mess up salmon habits along the way.”
He is also against the pipeline because of the work camps that would be set up.
“If you add 60 per cent more people for four years, what will happen? Our roads will be pounded to pieces, you won’t be able to get into the hospital, our grocery stores will be cleaned out. We don’t get any infrastructure money upfront from the government for this.”
The EAO is currently looking for residents’ feedback on the project. The public can submit their comments online, by mail or by fax. A copy of the application can be viewed at the Hazelton District Public Library or online at www.eao.gov.bc.ca.
The Environmental Assessment Office will likely make a decision on whether to give the project the green light by the end of the year.
If approved, Spectra Energy is hoping to start construction in 2017.