News Release
LNG Canada Export Terminal Project – Public Comments Invited

OTTAWA, April 2, 2013 – As part of the strengthened and modernized Canadian Environmental Assessment Act, 2012 (CEAA 2012) put in place to support the government's Responsible Resource Development Initiative, the Canadian Environmental Assessment Agency must decide whether a federal environmental assessment is required for the proposed LNG Canada Export Terminal Project located in British Columbia (B.C.). To assist it in making its decision, the Agency is seeking comments from the public on the project and its potential effects on the environment.

The Proposed Project

LNG Canada Development Inc. is proposing the construction and operation of a natural gas liquefaction facility and marine terminal for the export of liquefied natural gas (LNG) in the District of Kitimat, British Columbia. The proposed project would convert natural gas to LNG, approximately 24 million tonnes per year, for export to global markets. The project is expected to have a life of at least 25 years.

Substitution Request

The Government of B.C. has requested that the federal Minister of the Environment (the Minister) approve the substitution of the B.C. environmental assessment process for the CEAA 2012 process if it is determined that an environmental assessment is required. The Agency is also seeking comments on this request.

The Minister of the Environment, the Honourable Peter Kent, must approve the substitution request if he is satisfied that the conditions for substitution under CEAA 2012 are met and if he is of the opinion that the B.C. process would be an appropriate substitute for an environmental assessment by the Agency.

At the conclusion of a substituted environmental assessment process, the federal Minister of the Environment will make an environmental assessment decision under CEAA 2012. Environmental protection will absolutely be maintained through this process. Projects will only be allowed to proceed if they meet Canada's rigorous environmental protection laws. Where a decision on a project may adversely impact potential or established Aboriginal or treaty rights, Canada will ensure that potentially affected Aboriginal groups are adequately consulted.

B.C.’s request is in accordance with a memorandum of understanding (MOU) between the Agency and the British Columbia Environmental Assessment Office to enable efficient and timely use of the CEAA 2012 substitution provisions. The MOU addresses the processes leading to substitution, the conduct of the substituted environmental assessment and associated Aboriginal consultation and the coordination of decision-making, monitoring and follow-up after the environmental assessment. The MOU and a Backgrounder on substitution under CEAA 2012 are available on the Agency's website.

Public Comments

Written comments on the need for a federal environmental assessment and on the substitution request must be submitted by April 22, 2013 to:

LNG Canada Export Terminal Project
Canadian Environmental Assessment Agency
410-701 West Georgia Street
Vancouver, B.C. V7Y 1C6
Telephone: 604-666-2431
Fax: 604-666-6990
LNGCanada@ceaa-acee.gc.ca

To view a summary of the project description or for more information on the project, on the substitution request and on the environmental assessment process, visit the Agency’s website (registry reference number 80038).

Next Steps

The Agency will post its decision on whether a federal environmental assessment is required on its website. A notice of the Minister's decision on the request for substitution will also be posted on the Agency's website if it is determined that a federal environmental assessment is required.

The Canadian Environmental Assessment Agency administers the federal environmental assessment process, which identifies the environmental effects of proposed projects and measures to address those effects, in support of sustainable development.

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For more information, media may contact:

Céline Legault
Communications Advisor
Canadian Environmental Assessment Agency
Celine.Legault@ceaa-acee.gc.ca
Tel.: 613-957-0278