Two Vancouver Island First Nations could be at loggerheads over a proposed liquefied natural gas project that would require a natural gas pipeline to run 75 kilometres under the Strait of Georgia from Cherry Point, Washington to Mill Bay on Vancouver Island.
Earlier this week, Vancouver’s Steelhead LNG announced an agreement with Williams (NYSE: WMB), an American energy company, to build gas pipeline to Vancouver Island for the construction of a floating LNG plant eight kilometers south of Mill Bay.
Steelhead LNG has signed a benefits agreement with the Malahat First Nation to build the facility on Malahat land.
The project would bring natural gas from the U.S. via Cherry Point, which would require building a submarine natural gas pipeline across the Georgia Strait.
Steelhead LNG is also working with the Huu-ay-aht First Nation on the proposed Sarita LNG project in Alberni Inlet on Vancouver Island.
But the Malahat’s nearby neighbours, the Tsartlip First Nation at Brentwood Bay, say Steelhead LNG will also need their approval for the project and have started off on the wrong foot.
“Tsartlip has requested a meeting with Steelhead LNG and it will take place on September 11,” said Tsartlip Chief Don Tom.
“We intend on making it clear that Tsartlip First Nation’s approval will be required for any LNG project to proceed. We oppose the aggressive approach taken by Steelhead LNG and their board of directors by publicly announcing the project prior to any discussions with the Tsartlip community.”
The Tsartlip’s territory in on the eastern shore of the Saanich Peninsula in Brentwood Bay, but the Tsartlip also own a reserve just south of the proposed LNG terminal.
“Tsartlip takes tremendous pride in protecting all aspects of our community and will not subject our people to the risks around pipelines and LNG terminals,” Tom said. “So far their process can be characterized as disrespectful and insulting.”
Steelhead LNG is a privately owned B.C. energy developer that has financial backing from KERN, a Calgary based energy equity firm. Its board of directors include KERN co-founder Jeff van Steenbergen and former attorney general and treaty minister Geoff Plant.
