Trans Canada clears regulatory hurdles for proposed Prince Rupert Gas Transmission pipeline

Trans Canada Pipelines has received
final permits for it's proposed
Natural Gas pipeline from
Hudson's Hope to Prince Rupert

The proponent of the natural gas pipeline that will deliver gas to the proposed Pacific NorthWest LNG Terminal near Port Edward, has received its final permits from the British Columbia Oil and Gas Commission. Adding just a bit more forward momentum for the much anticipated and at times controversial energy project on the North Coast.

A statement from the Trans Canada Corporation outlines the background on the  two year process that has taken the company  towards final permit status, an announcement which comes with approximately 70 conditions to govern the implementation of the project which will stretch from near Hudson's Hope to Prince Rupert.

"Receiving the full complement of 11 pipeline and facility permits is a major milestone for the project, and concludes an exhaustive regulatory process that we embarked on more than two years ago," ... "Along with the B.C. Environmental Assessment Certificate received last November, the BCOGC permitting process was the last major regulatory step for PRGT. At the same time, we continue to work towards securing more Project Agreements with First Nations, which provide significant financial benefits while addressing cultural and environmental interests." -- Tony Palmer, PRGT president reviewing some of the background from today's announcement final permits for the 890 kilometre pipeline project.

Some of those 70 conditions include items related to Notification and reporting, Environment, Heritage conservation, First Nations engagement, Land Clearing, Wildlife, Marine Life and sensitive ocean floor habitat, stream crossings and engineering to name a few.

The permits granted today also approve construction of three compressor stations and a meter station where the gas is to be delivered to the Pacific NorthWest (PNW) LNG facility.

However, in order to proceed with construction, Prince Rupert Gas Transmission now must await a positive decision related to the Pacific NorthWest LNG terminal from the Federal government under CEAA Legislation.

That terminal is to be constructed on Lelu Island near Port Edward, it's anticipated that the CEAA will deliver its final report either later this year or early in 2016.

Should approval of that terminal be granted by the Federal Government, and Pacific NorthWest LNG confirm its intention to move forward, Prince Rupert Gas Transmission will begin site preparation for camp locations and right of way clearing.

Thousands of short term jobs, and opportunities for local and aboriginal businesses are expected to be created across the province, once construction of the gas transmission line gets underway.

While communities along the path of the line will benefit from the creation of the transmission line through annual taxes.

You can review more on today's development from this media release from Trans Canada Pipelines. A review of their proposed pipeline project can be reviewed here.

For more background on the Pacific NorthWest LNG project see our archive page here.