May 2016, Vol. 243, No. 5
Projects
Coastal GasLink Pipeline Receives All Remaining Construction Permits
TransCanada received the last two of 10 pipeline and facilities permits required from the BC Oil and Gas Commission (OGC) for the Coastal GasLink Pipeline Project. The project now has approval for construction and operation of the proposed pipeline and related facilities.
The $4.8 billion pipeline project will connect to the proposed LNG Canada natural gas liquefaction and export facility near Kitimat, B.C. A final investment decision is expected in late 2016, with construction expected to begin in 2017.
Eight of the permits were related to pipeline construction, while two were pipeline-related facilities: a natural gas compressor station and meter station in Groundbirch, B.C. and a natural gas metering station in Kitimat. Coastal GasLink received an Environmental Assessment Certificate from the B.C. Environmental Assessment Office in October 2014.
Each of the OGC permits related to pipeline and facilities construction includes up to 70 conditions, which will govern implementation of the project related to ongoing reporting to the regulator, notification of affected parties during construction, First Nations engagement, heritage conservation, stream crossings, land clearing, wildlife, terrain stability and engineering.
Coastal GasLink has had over 15,000 interactions and engagements with Aboriginal communities along the proposed pipeline route, and over a third of the 350,000-plus hours of fieldwork on the project have been conducted by Aboriginal people, the company said.
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