The provincial government is providing regulatory support for proposed expansion at FortisBC’s Tilbury liquefied natural gas (LNG) facility in Delta, and proposed upgrades to FortisBC’s natural gas transmission infrastructure in the Lower Mainland.

The projects will create jobs and investment in Delta, Squamish and Coquitlam.

FortisBC is proposing to invest an additional $400 million to further increase natural gas liquefaction capacity at its Tilbury LNG facility in Delta to meet future domestic and export demands from LNG customers.

The company also intends to advance planned upgrades to its existing natural gas transmission infrastructure in the Lower Mainland to accommodate higher demand for natural gas arising from the development of the Tilbury Island facility, and will construct and operate the new Eagle Mountain pipeline to transport natural gas from the Eagle Mountain compressor in Coquitlam to the proposed Woodfibre LNG facility in Squamish.

To provide certainty that will support final investment decisions by LNG proponents and large volume natural gas customers and allow FortisBC to move forward in planning the business aspects of LNG projects, government has exempted these proposed projects from the requirement for a certificate of public convenience and necessity review. FortisBC will still be required to obtain all necessary environmental approvals and other permits as well as consult with the public and First Nations.  

Government has also introduced a natural gas transportation tariff that establishes the rate for LNG proponents and large-volume natural gas customers, including Woodfibre LNG. The rate ensures that large industrial proponents will cover the full cost of the new investment and operational costs to serve them in addition to a portion of the costs of the existing system. These customers will also contribute to lower delivery costs for other FortisBC customers due to the large quantities of natural gas moving through the pipeline system.

Quotes:

Bill Bennett, Minister of Energy and Mines -

“Our goal is to create jobs and economic development by making it easier for LNG proponents and other natural gas customers in the Lower Mainland to access and use natural gas. FortisBC’s proposed capital investments will help meet the increased demand for natural gas and LNG in the Lower Mainland and provide additional certainty to support final investment decisions by LNG proponents.”

Rich Coleman, Minister of Natural Gas Development -

“The Province is taking the steps needed to establish a liquefied natural gas sector in British Columbia. FortisBC’s proposed investment in their pipeline system will serve new LNG facilities and will help transport B.C.’s natural gas to global markets.”

John Walker, executive vice-president, Western Canadian Operations, Fortis Inc. -

“Last year Fortis Inc. subsidiaries in British Columbia invested more than $500 million in energy infrastructure with a substantial focus on LNG and natural gas pipeline projects and are expecting to exceed that amount in 2015. The Province’s regulatory support maintains robust environmental reviews and commitment to ongoing public and First Nations consultation while enabling us to provide potential industrial customers with greater certainty around project development and delivery.”

Media Contacts:

Jake Jacobs
Media Relations
Ministry of Energy and Mines
250 952-0628