Menu
(VANCOUVER, B.C.) – Prince Rupert Gas Transmission project (“PRGT”) has filed an amendment application to the BC Environmental Assessment Office for a 172 km pipeline reroute and a new initiation point approximately 37kms west of Chetwynd, British Columbia.
In response to concerns raised by Treaty 8 Nations, the new route avoids sensitive caribou habitat and is largely located along developed corridors, where other major projects and infrastructure have been established, such as natural gas pipelines, BC Hydro transmission lines, and Highway 97. By co-locating the project with other infrastructure, PRGT aims to further reduce environmental impacts. Approximately 45 per cent of the new route overlaps with previously disturbed areas. The new route is approximately 60 kms shorter than the section of the original route, further reducing the project’s overall footprint.
In developing this amendment, PRGT engaged extensively with local Indigenous nations including the Blueberry River First Nations, Doig River First Nation, Halfway River First Nation, Horse Lake First Nation, McLeod Lake Indian Band, Saulteau First Nations, West Moberly First Nations, Nak’azdli Whut’en, and Takla Nation.
“PRGT values and prioritizes feedback from Indigenous communities,” said Eva Clayton, President of the Nisga’a Lisims Government. “Our commitment to open dialogue and mutual respect shaped the development of the proposed route, ensuring that it reflects the concerns and insights of the Indigenous people who have stewarded their lands since time immemorial.”
This is the second routing amendment proposed under the project’s new ownership. The project team continues to advance an amendment to the pipeline’s Environmental Assessment Certificate that would alter the routing at its western end. This route change adds a delivery point at Wil Milit on Pearse Island, where the Ksi Lisims LNG project will be located. The change reflects feedback received from coastal Nations and would shorten the marine portion of the pipeline by 100kms.
If both the western and eastern route options are approved and selected, the new length of the entire PRGT pipeline will be 750kms, with 160kms removed from the project’s originally approved footprint.
About the Nisga’a Nation / Western LNG joint venture:
The Nisga’a Nation and Western LNG are dedicated to promoting Indigenous participation and ownership in the energy sector. Committed to sustainable development and economic empowerment, the joint venture aims to create a lasting positive impact within First Nation communities across northern B.C.
Media enquiries:
Rebecca Scott, Western LNG
rscott@westernlng.com
Paul Mercer, Nisga’a Lisims Government
paulm@nisgaanation.ca
