TransCanada: three more First Nations onboard for PRGT

TransCanada Corp. says it has reached project agreements with three more First Nations in northern British Columbia to build a pipeline across the province to a proposed liquefied natural gas terminal on the coast.

Specifics of the agreements weren't announced, but TransCanada said they provide for annual legacy payments over the commercial life of the Prince Rupert Gas Transmission pipeline plus benefits upon signing and at other milestones.

The latest agreements are with the Doig River First Nation, Halfway River First Nation and Yekooche First Nation.

TransCanada has previously reached four other agreements with Lake Babine Nation, Nisga'a Lisims Government, Gitanyow First Nation and Kitselas First Nation.

According to the project website, the 900 km pipeline is expected to deliver natural gas from Hudson's Hope to the proposed Pacific NorthWest LNG facility on Lelu Island south of Prince Rupert.

Last month B.C. Premier Christy Clark said the province had reached an agreement in principle with Pacific NorthWest LNG, owned in majority by Malaysia's Petronas, for the CAN$36 billion project on B.C.'s northwest coast.

But members of the Lax Kw'alaams First Nation in northwestern British Columbia have rejected a CAN$1.15 billion offer from Malaysia's Petronas to build the LNG terminal on Lelu Island, because of concerns over the project's potential impact on neighbouring Flora Bank, a marine ecosystem immediately adjacent to Lelu Island.

Pipeline project agreements are part of a comprehensive approach to working with First Nations on LNG opportunities, including developing skills training, employment and involving First Nations in developing business opportunities.

PRGT is proposing to design, build, own and operate a 900 km natural gas pipeline to deliver natural gas from a point near Hudson's Hope to the proposed Pacific NorthWest LNG facility at Lelu Island, off the coast of Port Edward, near Prince Rupert.

Edited from various sources by Elizabeth Corner

Sources: CBC, Market Watch

Read the article online at: https://www.worldpipelines.com/business-news/02062015/transcanada-three-more-first-nations-onboard-for-prgt/