Global News has learned a major LNG announcement is expected Wednesday.
Last week, in a series of votes, members of the Lax Kw’alaams band rejected a $1.15-billion deal that would have paved the way for a liquefied natural gas terminal to be built in their traditional territory.
Members voted against the Petronas-owned Pacific NorthWest LNG project during three separate community meetings.
Despite the No vote, a major announcement is expected tomorrow.
Global BC Legislative Bureau Chief Keith Baldrey says “Petronas will sign a memorandum of understanding with the B.C. government to keep the project alive and pushing it forward…with the potential of coming up with a project development agreement and then perhaps, finally, the final investment decision.”
Baldrey says there are a series of steps that have to occur before Petronas goes all in. But instead of backing away, the Malaysian oil and gas company appears to be moving forward with the project.
Baldrey adds that First Nations’ concerns cannot be dismissed. First Nations have considerable legal clout as a result of a recent Supreme Court of Canada decision. He adds that First Nations, however, have said they’re not necessarily opposed to the LNG industry. What they oppose is the site that Petronas wants to build on.
The Lax Kw’alaams band’s primary concern relates to the project’s potential impact on Flora Bank, an underwater area immediately adjacent Lelu Island where an abundance of eel grass provides vital habitat to maturing salmon in the Skeena watershed.
If Petronas finds a different site, says Baldrey, the project could very much go forward.
-with files from Canadian Press
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