How many years have people been extracting natural gas in B.C.? Why is natural gas considered a clean resource?

Test your knowledge about B.C.'s natural gas future with these questions and more by completing the LNG Awareness Quiz online at: http://engage.gov.bc.ca/lnginbc/quiz/

LNG - an acronym of liquefied natural gas - is an emerging export opportunity for B.C. to create new jobs and prosperity. Before taking the quiz, take some time to read LNG 101: A Guide to British Columbia's Liquefied Natural Gas Sector - http://ow.ly/s9w2L - and familiarize yourself with the latest details so you can aim for that perfect awareness score.

Why It Matters:

• Natural gas has an important role in our economy, employing thousands of British Columbians throughout the province.
• The provincial government manages industry's access to natural gas on behalf of British Columbians, who actually own the rights to the resource.
• The Province collects a portion of revenues from the natural gas industry - known as royalty payments - and uses them to fund vital programs and services in health care, education, infrastructure development and more.
• As an entirely new industry, LNG creates an opportunity for the provincial government to collect additional revenue and secure a brighter economic future for all British Columbians.

Quote:

Rich Coleman, Minister of Natural Gas Development -

"It is important for everyone to understand how the LNG industry will play a role in our province's future, and I think this quiz is a fun, small way to increase collective awareness."

Quick Facts:

• Natural gas is a byproduct of decaying organic matter in rock layers formed below the Earth's surface millions of years ago. As the matter decayed, the gas was trapped or isolated in the rock formations which prevented it from surfacing.
• Today, natural gas is recognized as the world's cleanest-burning fossil fuel. It has a low carbon dioxide content and is often used as a fuel to produce other forms of energy.
• Once processed for commercial use, natural gas can be safely used for a variety of purposes such as heating homes and businesses, generating electricity or fueling vehicles. It also can be paired with renewable power sources such as wind and solar to make these forms of intermittent energy more reliable and available.
• Because natural gas is clean, safe and plentiful, it will remain an important part of the world's future energy needs.

Learn More at:

For an update on B.C.'s LNG strategy, visit: http://www.gov.bc.ca/com/attachments/LNGreport_update2013_web130207.pdf

British Columbia's Liquefied Natural Gas Strategy: http://www.empr.gov.bc.ca/SiteCollectionDocuments/LNGreport_web_130627.pdf

Media Contact:

Sandra Steilo
Media Relations
Ministry of Natural Gas Development
250 952-0617