Clean Energy Canada | Federal decision on Pacific Northwest LNG inconsistent with climate commitments
September 27, 2016

VANCOUVER — Merran Smith, executive director of Clean Energy Canada, made the following statement in response to the federal government’s approval of the proposed Pacific Northwest liquified natural gas (LNG) project:

“Approving this project is inconsistent with the federal government’s commitments to lead on climate change and clean innovation.

“The conditions that come with this approval set the bar too low. Ottawa should have required Pacific NorthWest to run on clean electricity and use available technology to reduce its carbon pollution by more than 40 per cent. If this project is built as currently approved, it will be one of the biggest single sources of carbon pollution in the country.  

“Bottom line, this decision is not in the best interests of Canadians or British Columbians. Approving this project does not unlock the kind of innovation, jobs and clean growth that will drive Canada’s economic prosperity in the years ahead.

“Despite this approval, there is no guarantee that Pacific NorthWest will be built. With the cost of renewable energy continuing to decrease, it is increasingly uncertain that LNG exports can compete in Asian markets.”

Report | Lock in Jobs, not Pollution (Clean Energy Canada, 2014)

Commentary | Could Renewables Foil B.C.’s LNG Dream? (Clean Energy Canada, 2016)

Submission | Comment on the Pacific NorthWest Draft Environmental Assessment (Clean Energy Canada, 2016)