Latest news with #AlexMacLennan
Hamilton Spectator
4 days ago
- Business
- Hamilton Spectator
‘A long, hot summer': B.C.'s approval of PRGT pipeline sets stage for conflict, First Nations leader says
The British Columbia government gave a green light to an 800-kilometre natural gas pipeline on Thursday, paving the way for construction to start this summer — and setting the stage for what one First Nations leader warns could be a 'long, hot summer' of conflict. The Prince Rupert Gas Transmission (PRGT) pipeline will carry gas from northeast B.C. to the proposed Ksi Lisims gas liquefaction and export facility on the northwest coast near the Alaska border, crossing more than 1,000 waterways, including major salmon-bearing rivers and tributaries. In a press release, the BC Environmental Assessment Office gave the project a 'substantially started' designation, locking in its original environmental approval indefinitely. That original approval — for the pipeline to end in Prince Rupert, B.C — was granted in 2014 and expired last November. The assessment office said enough construction occurred before the expiry date to earn it the designation, even though the pipeline's new route takes it to a different location. The decision to deem the pipeline substantially started was authored by Alex MacLennan, chief executive assessment officer and deputy energy minister. In a report outlining the reasons for the decision, MacLennan acknowledged that First Nations, including the Gitxsan Wilps, raised a range of concerns about the project, including the impact of greenhouse gas emissions and uncertainty about the pipeline's final route. The assessment office is currently considering two requests from the proponents to change the pipeline's route to serve the proposed Ksi Lisims LNG facility. 'Though I recognize that this provides some uncertainty regarding the final route of the project, the significant investment in, and pursuit of, the amendments indicate to me that PRGT Ltd. continues to invest in the project and is committed to the project being completed,' MacLennan wrote. 'As for concerns regarding greenhouse gas emissions, this matter is not relevant to the substantial start determination.' The Nisg̱a'a Lisims Government and Texas-based Western LNG are partnering to build the pipeline, after buying it from Calgary-based TC Energy last year. (TC Energy is the company behind the contentious Coastal GasLink pipeline , which saw protracted conflict during construction that led to more than 80 arrests of land defenders, observers and journalists.) While the Nisg̱a'a government has stated the project provides much-needed economic benefits to its citizens, other affected First Nations, including leaders in neighbouring Gitanyow and Gitxsan territories, have voiced their opposition and argue the PRGT pipeline will negatively impact lands and waters and populations of fish and wildlife. In a statement, Simooget (Chief) Watakhayetsxw Deborah Good said the decision 'isn't the end of the story.' Watakhayetsxw was one of the Gitanyow Chiefs who set up a blockade last August when pipeline construction started, barring any industry-related traffic from passing through. 'We'll continue to fight to protect our territory (Lax'yip) with all actions needed, in the courts and on the ground,' she said. 'From August to November 2024, we denied access for PRGT pipeline construction and we'll be continuing our efforts to ensure no construction happens on our territory,' she said. Grand Chief Stewart Phillip, president of the Union of B.C. Indian Chiefs, said approving the pipeline directly contradicts the government's stated commitment to upholding Indigenous Rights, which was passed into law in 2019 with B.C.'s Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples Act. 'There are First Nations who have very loudly stated their opposition to this pipeline and they will continue to do so,' Phillip said in a statement. 'The Declaration Act and interim approach are being tossed out the window. This is not a government who believes in reconciliation and it could trigger a long, hot summer.' Naxginkw Tara Marsden, Wilp Sustainability Director with the Gitanyow Hereditary Chiefs, questioned whether the project met criteria for the substantial start decision. While the definition of a substantial start is somewhat vague, the essence of the designation is an acknowledgement a project proponent has put in a significant amount of work to get a project going. The work done on the PRGT pipeline mainly consisted of clearing forest from a short section of the 800-kilometre route on Nisga'a lands. 'This decision makes a mockery of the true purpose and intent of what is considered to be a 'substantial start' for major infrastructure projects,' Naxginkw said in a statement. 'It leaves us asking, 'Why does the government have processes if it doesn't intend to follow them and continues to exclude concerns raised by impacted First Nations?' ' The pipeline and associated liquefied natural gas (LNG) project, Ksi Lisims LNG, are the subject of three lawsuits by Indigenous and non-Indigenous communities and groups, including a legal challenge launched by Gitanyow Hereditary Chiefs. 'Our livelihoods depend on healthy and abundant sockeye from the Nass and Skeena rivers,' Naxginkw said. 'This pipeline would cut across some of the healthiest intact salmon watersheds left in B.C.' Naxginkw previously told The Narwhal the conflict over the pipeline is pitting nation against nation, which she said is a distraction from the real issue. 'We're stuck in this cycle of people only paying attention when it's that really heated, race-based conflict and the fact that this is nation to nation is even juicier,' she explained. 'But that's not the story — the story is the climate is going to kill us all.' Natural gas is mostly composed of methane, a powerful greenhouse gas 80 times more powerful than carbon dioxide for its short-term warming impact on the planet. At every step of the process of extracting the fossil fuel for energy production — including at wellheads, along the pipeline and during the liquefaction, shipping, regasification and combustion processes — adds more greenhouse gases to the atmosphere, intensifying the effects of climate change. When built, the Prince Rupert Gas Transmission pipeline will be able to transport 3.6 billion cubic feet of natural gas per day. Error! Sorry, there was an error processing your request. There was a problem with the recaptcha. Please try again. You may unsubscribe at any time. By signing up, you agree to our terms of use and privacy policy . This site is protected by reCAPTCHA and the Google privacy policy and terms of service apply. Want more of the latest from us? Sign up for more at our newsletter page .
BBC News
11-05-2025
- BBC News
Kielder Forest mountain bike trails unveiled in Northumberland
New mountain bike trails have been unveiled in Kielder well as a new route at Deadwater Fell, there will also be upgrades to an existing England official Alex MacLennan said the additions cemented the forest's position as one of the UK's "premier mountain biking destinations". Northumberland tourism bosses said they hoped it would attract new cycling events to the area. The team unveiled a new 650m (0.4 mile) route, designed specifically for relatively experienced mountain bikers, as well as upgrades to a 565m (0.35 mile) trail for expert MacLennan said the number of routes with varying levels of difficulty on the site allowed riders "to develop their skills while experiencing the incredible natural beauty of Kielder Forest"."The sensation of emerging from dense woodland on to ridgelines with epic 360-degree views creates a truly unforgettable mountain biking adventure that we hope will keep cyclists coming back time and again," he said. Follow BBC North East on X, Facebook, Nextdoor and Instagram.
BBC News
28-01-2025
- Climate
- BBC News
Kielder Forest paths and trails closed again after Storm Éowyn damage
Trails which were closed for up to three years after Storm Arwen in 2021 are inaccessible to the public again following Storm É England has temporarily shut all footpaths and mountain bike routes in Kielder Forest, Northumberland, after Friday's strong than 150 trees are blocking the Lakeside way, a 26 mile (42km) path which circles Kielder England recreation manager Alex MacLennan said: "Our advice is to stay away until our crews can get in there and get all the trees cleared." "Some of the trees down were quite problematic, one was tangled up with power lines but that's been dealt with now," Mr MacLennan said. "Our paths and trails will be closed probably until next weekend and will reopen one by one, once we make sure they're safe," he added. Approximately one million trees fell in Northumberland during the severe winds of Storm Arwen on 26 November of footpaths and trails were damaged and blocked, and the Lonesome Pine Mountain bike trail at Kielder Forest only reopened three years later in December. But despite Storm Éowyn bringing 96mph (154 km/h) gusts to places like Brizlee Wood in Northumberland, the damage has not been as severe."Arwen had already taken a lot of the forest out," Mr MacLennan said, adding: "So while we have a lot of trees down it's not nearly on the same scale." Other Forestry England sites in Northumberland remain open but visitors are urged to "use caution"."Not only have some trees fallen down but others may be lodged up against others and could fall and some power lines haven't been checked yet," Mr MacLennan said. Mr MacLennan said any decision to close or restrict sites was only made "to keep people safe"."We never want to shut access to the countryside, it's something we do not like doing but it's so important that we don't have a tragic situation which could have been avoided," he added.
