B.C. Government Expedites Tilbury LNG Expansion, Bypassing Public Oversight

The British Columbia government is expediting the expansion of the Tilbury LNG facility in Delta, which will increase its capacity to turn natural gas into liquefied natural gas (LNG) by 650,000 tonnes. The project's construction is expected to start next year and be completed by 2031.

Energy Minister Adrian Dix touted the $2.2 billion investment as a way for the province to increase its capacity and sovereignty. He stated that during construction alone, the project will create 1,100 jobs per year, generate $260 million in tax revenue, and produce an estimated incremental natural gas of $62,000 per shipment.

The government is allowing FortisBC, the company behind the project, to bypass the requirement for a certificate of public convenience and necessity from the B.C. Utilities Commission. This decision has raised concerns about the independence of the commission, with former chair Richard Mason stating that it undermines their ability to ensure projects are in the public interest.

Despite these concerns, the government is also allowing the Musqueam First Nation to purchase a part of the project as a way of advancing economic reconciliation. Environmentalists, however, remain critical of the expansion, citing the need for Canada to stop fracking gas and reduce its reliance on LNG in order to meet its climate targets.