The provincial government announced October 3 it is funding a $650,000 environmental study of the potential impacts large-scale industrial developments would have on the Kitimat airshed if the proposed projects were built.
According to a government press release, the airshed study is being completed to "ensure the potential impacts from industrial air emissions are clearly understood prior to new projects being approved and in operation."
A number of large-scale industrial projects are proposed for Kitimat. They are:
- Apache Corp. (NYSE:APA) and Chevron Canada's (NYSE:CVX) Kitimat LNG facility;
- the terminus of Enbridge's (TSX:ENB) Northern Gateway pipeline;
- B.C. LNG (Douglas Channel Energy Partnership); and
- LNG Canada, a project co-owned by Shell Canada (LYSE:RDSA), Korea Gas Corporation, Mitsubishi Corporation and PetroChina Company Limited.
Newspaper publisher David Black has proposed an oil refinery, Kitimat Clean, which will be located midway between Kitimat and Terrace, B.C.
Currently, Rio Tinto Alcan's aluminum smelter, also located in Kitimat, is getting an overhaul.
The cumulative effects of these projects – on water, soil, vegetation and human health – will be included in the study.
The province plans to contract a third party to conduct the research. A request for proposals will be issued. A final report is expected by March 31, 2014.
Data from the study will be used for other airsheds – namely in Prince Rupert, where other large-scale LNG export facilities are proposed – to guide regulatory decisions.
Final investment decisions have not been made on any of the LNG projects.
For previous Business in Vancouver stories on the Kitimat airshed, click here and here.
