A Smithers resident has filed a challenge that could pose a problem for LNG Canada’s proposed plant in Kitimat.
Michael D Sawyer filed his challenge yesterday with the National Energy Board claiming that the TransCanada Coastal GasLink Pipeline, which has been treated as BC regulated, is actually in Federal jurisdiction.
Sawyer made a similar claim in 2015 against the Prince Rupert Gas Transmission proposal, which was initially rejected by the NEB, but later earned an appeal from the Federal Court of Appeals in 2017.
Though the CGL project has already received approval from BC, if Sawyer’s challenge is held, TransCanada would instead need to seek NEB approval.
The CGL pipeline would supply the Kitimat LNG project with gas and the challenge could effect LNG Canada’s ability to get a positive final investment needed to move forward with the project.
