B.C. grants $10B Ksi Lisims LNG project approval, promising jobs and growth, while environmental groups and some First Nations voice strong opposition.
B.C. Grants Environmental Approval for $10B LNG Project
Approval After Four-Year Review
The Ksi Lisims liquefied natural gas (LNG) project, planned about 80 kilometres north of Prince Rupert, has received a provincial environmental assessment certificate. The approval, announced late Monday after nearly four years of review, marks a key milestone for the $10-billion venture led by the Nisga’a Nation and Texas-based Western LNG.
Project Scope and Timeline
The facility is designed as a floating LNG terminal capable of producing 12 million tonnes annually. Current projections estimate construction beginning in the coming years, with operations expected to start in late 2028 or 2029. The B.C. government says the project will employ roughly 450 workers during construction, peaking at 800, with 150 to 250 permanent roles for at least three decades.
Economic Expectations
Provincial ministers Adrian Dix and Tamara Davidson said in their approval statement that the project would generate long-term economic benefits for both local communities and B.C. as a whole. “These new jobs will have positive knock-on effects in the surrounding communities and the whole province,” the approval document states.
First Nations Divided
Consultation included 10 First Nations in the region, with mixed responses. Support came from the Kitselas and Gitga’at Nations, while the Metlakatla and Kitsumkalum Nations withheld consent. The province acknowledged not all concerns were resolved but pledged ongoing consultation, particularly regarding impacts on marine shipping and salmon habitat.
Environmental Concerns Persist
Environmental groups and hereditary leaders remain critical of the decision. The Gitanyow hereditary chiefs, through sustainability director Tara Marsden, questioned the climate implications of another LNG facility. “It’s hard to believe that we’re moving ahead in B.C. with climate-destroying LNG projects in the midst of a climate crisis,” Marsden said.
Federal Involvement
The federal government granted parallel approvals following B.C.’s decision. Federal ministers pledged to monitor shipping impacts and coordinate with coastal First Nations. Still, environmental advocates, including the David Suzuki Foundation, warned the project could face economic risks as global demand for fossil fuels plateaus.
Balancing Growth and Climate
The province emphasized that the certificate comes with legally enforceable conditions designed to mitigate impacts on wildlife and marine ecosystems. Critics remain unconvinced, arguing that clean energy alternatives would provide more sustainable economic opportunities.
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