Clark says B.C.’s LNG plants does world a clean-air favour

VICTORIA – Premier Christy Clark says British Columbia’s proposed liquefied natural gas plants will be doing the world a favour when it comes to fighting air pollution, but she’s suggesting the clean-up job may only apply outside on the province.

Clark says timing is crucial to reach multibillion-dollar deals with gas companies in China and Japan, but B.C.’s preoccupation with meeting its own pollution laws could impair the push to cash in on LNG developments.

B.C.’s seven-year-old climate change law calls for reduction in greenhouse gas emissions by one-third by 2020, but climate scientists and environmental groups say LNG plants will emit huge amounts of greenhouse gases.

Clark says British Columbians can either decide to support an industry that could create 100,000 jobs or throw up barriers that include pollution reduction targets.

She made the comments today at a news conference in Vancouver where a joint Chinese-Japanese energy company announced plans to build an LNG plant at Grassy Narrows near Prince Rupert, B.C.

Clark says the LNG development plans have the potential to transform B.C.’s economic future.