Westcoast Connector Gas Transmission Project
Westcoast Connector Gas Transmission Project
The Westcoast Connector Gas Transmission Project approved in the Environmental Assessment Certificate includes the potential to build two 48-inch diameter natural gas pipelines within the same right-of-way along with accompanying compressor stations that could potentially service multiple Liquefied Natural Gas (LNG) terminal sites starting at Cypress in northeast BC and ending at Ridley Island on the north coast. The Certificate provided the flexibility to choose one of two routes to the Prince Rupert area—either through the Nass Valley (Nasoga Route) or north towards Kitsault (Kitsault Route).
At this time, Westcoast Connector Gas Transmission Ltd. (WCGT Ltd.) is actively developing the WCGT Project to build one express, single-purpose natural gas pipeline from a compressor station near Willow Flats in northeast BC to a delivery point at Wil Milit on the north coast to supply natural gas to potential LNG terminal sites.
WCGT Ltd. would like to acknowledge that the proposed WCGT Project area is in the Traditional and Ancestral Territory of many peoples, presently subject to the Nisga'a Treaty, Treaty 8, and vast areas of unceded Indigenous Traditional lands. These Indigenous groups include Blueberry River First Nations, Doig River First Nation, Gitanyow Hereditary Chiefs, Gitxsan Hereditary Chiefs, Gitxaala Nation, Halfway River First Nation, Kitselas First Nation, Kitsumkalum First Nation, Lake Babine Nation, Lax Kw’alaams First Nation, McLeod Lake Indian Band, Metlakatla First Nation, Nak’azdli First Nation, Nisga’a Nation, Prophet River First Nation, Saulteau First Nations, Takla Lake First Nation, Tsay Keh Dene First Nation, West Moberly First Nations, Wilp Luuxhon, and the Métis People of British Columbia. We acknowledge the many Indigenous Peoples who live on and care for these lands and have for many generations. We are grateful for the traditional Knowledge Keepers and Elders who are still with us today and those who have gone before us. We make this acknowledgement in gratitude and thanks to those whose territory we reside on or are visiting.
WCGT Ltd., formerly a wholly owned subsidiary of Spectra Energy Inc., conducted the original Environmental Assessment throughout 2011-2014. A substantial amount of data was collected, along with extensive Indigenous and public involvement to support the approval of the Environmental Assessment Certificate (Certificate) application.
The British Columbia Environmental Assessment Office (BC EAO) issued a Certificate for the WCGT Project on November 25, 2014, and later granted a 5-year extension to the Certificate on April 25, 2019.
All documentation of the original Environmental Assessment and subsequent Certificate extension can be found on the BC EAO website.
With the merger of Spectra Energy and Enbridge in 2017, WCGT Ltd. is now a wholly owned subsidiary of Enbridge Inc. Since 2017, we have been working closely with potential terminal proponents on developing an LNG project concept that would receive natural gas from the WCGT Project.
WCGT Ltd. is seeking a 5-year extension to the Project’s environmental assessment certificate. This extension would provide WCGT Ltd. with more time to undertake environmental and geotechnical fieldwork required to continue to develop this project, in collaboration with Indigenous Nations and stakeholders.
Over the past couple of years, WCGT Ltd. has been unable to conduct that necessary fieldwork due to restrictions relating to the pandemic, and from provincial permitting delays. Our commitment to providing Indigenous Nations substantial benefit through equity partnerships is a priority and an extension would also allow more time for communities and Indigenous Nations to determine their involvement, provide input, further refine and improve the scope of the project.
WCGT Ltd. continues to engage with Indigenous Nations and potentially impacted stakeholders to ensure input is continually being incorporated into the Project. This includes involvement in the development of Condition Plans, which will be developed to meet Conditions set out in the environmental assessment certificate.
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In the summer and fall of 2021, WCGT Ltd. began preparations to conduct geophysical studies to support planning and design of pipeline water crossings along the proposed route(s). In addition, WCGT Ltd. began a small environmental field work program, predominantly focused on the eastern extent of the proposed WCGT Project route, which included:
In 2022, WCGT Ltd. began preparations for a larger environmental and engineering field work program that would include:
These studies were anticipated to begin in Q1/Q2 2022 to support the development of impact avoidance strategies, detailed engineering and route design. WCGT Ltd. will proceed with surveys in 2023 if the Project receives a successful Certificate renewal.
Enbridge’s environmental, social and governance (ESG) goals represent the next stage of our evolution as an ESG leader to ensure we’re positioned to grow sustainably for decades to come. Specifically on the environment, our goal is to achieve net zero greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions from our business by 2050 and reduce the intensity of GHG emissions from our operations by 35% by 2030. Our emission reduction targets include future projects we might develop, and anything we do will be assessed against our emission reduction commitments. To find out more about how we plan to meet these goals, please visit enbridge.com/esggoals
WCGT Ltd. will work collaboratively with Indigenous groups, stakeholders and interested parties to discuss specific interests, address concerns and to develop a path forward that incorporates local input and involvement in the WCGT Project. As plans progress for this work, it is important to keep the lines of communication open—please get in touch with us at any time
WCGT Ltd.
8320 89A St.
Fort St. John, BC
V1J 0P1