Band says B.C. LNG plan will increase greenhouse gases, tanker traffic

KITIMAT, B.C. – A coastal British Columbia First Nation and an environmental group are raising concerns about the provincial government’s plan to export liquid natural gas.

The Gitga’at First Nation of Hartley Bay, says the plan to build four LNG plants in Kitimat is not as “green” as people might believe, and it could result in air pollution that makes its way downwind to their community.

The band says it also has concerns about the increase in tanker traffic in the Douglas Channel.

But not all First Nations are opposed.

The province has a deal with the Haisla First Nation to purchase or lease land that will enable the Haisla to participate in the development.

The Liberal government says the LNG plants they hope to have up and running by 2020 will contribute $2 billion annually to provincial revenues.