B.C. Government Exempts Fortis BC from Permit for $2-Billion LNG Facility Expansion

The British Columbia government has exempted Fortis BC from obtaining a permit for the expansion of its Tilbury LNG facility, allowing the $2-billion investment to move ahead. Energy Minister Adrian Dix says the exemption will save time and enable the project to proceed.

The Tilbury site, which has been in operation since 1971 as a natural gas storage facility, is now producing LNG for vessels and working with the Vancouver Port authority to develop a marine refuelling service. The expansion will create 1,100 jobs during construction and generate $260 million in tax revenues.

The government says the exemption provides greater regulatory certainty and optimizes the overall investment by FortisBC. The project remains subject to all other applicable regulatory approvals and permitting requirements before construction can start, which is expected to be by the middle of next year.