Editor:
Re: LNG project makes no sense (Letters, April 15).
The Woodfibre LNG Project makes sense – for Squamish, Howe Sound and B.C. Woodfibre LNG will bring to Squamish an estimated 650 good paying construction jobs per year during the two-year construction period, 100 full-time jobs to the Woodfibre site during operation, plus a dozen or so administration-related jobs to Squamish during the life of the project. These will be “living wage jobs” in a town where the cost of living is increasing dramatically – Squamish had the second highest overall increases in home assessments in B.C. for 2016.
Our proposed seawater cooling system is legal. The Woodfibre LNG Project has successfully completed three comprehensive environmental assessment review processes (federal, provincial and Squamish Nation). As part of our agreement with Squamish Nation, we’re taking one last look at our cooling technology options, and the Squamish Nation will have a direct say on which technology we’ll ultimately use.
Vessel traffic associated with our project will be very manageable. During operation, one LNG carrier, accompanied by at least three tugboats, and with two BC Coast Pilots on board, will arrive at our terminal about once every 10 days. This will increase large vessel movement in Howe Sound by less than one per cent, which is very manageable in a waterway that has been shared by commercial ships, fishing boats, BC Ferries and recreational users for decades.
LNG can be done responsibly. Our project will be powered by electricity from BC Hydro, which will reduce our direct greenhouse gas emissions by about 80 per cent. We’re also remediating the 100-year-old contaminated Woodfibre site. We’ll be removing 3,000 creosote-coated piles from the shoreline of Howe Sound and creating a green zone around Mill Creek, which will drastically improve habitat for fish.
Have a question about Woodfibre LNG? Visit our website, askwoodfibrelng.ca.
John French, community relations manager, Woodfibre LNG
