Prince Rupert Gas Transmission signs project agreement with Blueberry River First Nations

TransCanada Corp. has announced that its Prince Rupert Gas Transmission project (PRGT) has signed a project agreement with the Blueberry River First Nations, a Treaty 8 First Nation. The agreement outlines financial and other benefits and commitments that will be provided for as long as the project is in service.

"Achieving this agreement with Blueberry River First Nations is another important milestone for the PRGT project," said Tony Palmer, President of PRGT. "We consider engagement with First Nations as paramount to our success. We want to ensure we have their input on environmental and cultural impacts and that they benefit from the construction and operation of the PRGT pipeline project."

"We believe the pipeline project will benefit our members today and for future generations, both financially and in terms of employment for our members," said Chief Marvin Yahey. "The relationship we have established with TransCanada is just as important as the agreement, and we are confident that the relationship we have built will continue to the benefit of both parties for years to come."

While the specific terms of the agreement remain confidential, they include:

• Access to employment and contracts.
• Initial and annual payments for the life of the project.

Along the pipeline route, PRGT has also signed project agreements with Doig River, Halfway River and Yekooche First Nations, Gitanyow First Nation, Kitselas First Nation, Lake Babine Nation, Metlakatla First Nation and Nisga'a Lisims Government.

PRGT continues to work closely with First Nations along our pipeline route. We are committed to building and maintaining long-term positive relationships with Aboriginal groups.

The $5 billion PRGT project will provide significant economic benefits for British Columbians, local and provincial governments, and Aboriginal communities as it supports the export of surplus natural gas to global markets, including:

• Thousands of short-term jobs directed at B.C. residents.
• Opportunities for local and Aboriginal businesses.
• Millions of dollars in annual taxes to help support local services such as schools, policing, fire protection and waste management.
• Billions of dollars in new investments for the province.

Prince Rupert Gas Transmission is proposing to construct and operate (subject to required regulatory and commercial approvals) 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 press release by Angharad Lock

Read the article online at: https://www.worldpipelines.com/equipment-and-safety/29102015/prince-rupert-gas-transmission-signs-project-agreement-with-blueberry-river-first-nations-1499/