Latest news with #LaxKw'alaams
CBC
2 days ago
- Business
- CBC
B.C. company pressures feds to pave way for $750M gas export facility in Prince Rupert
Social Sharing A major B.C. exporter has announced it is ready to invest $750 million in a new liquefied petroleum gas (LPG) export facility in Prince Rupert, B.C. — though it still faces a legal battle against the Port of Prince Rupert in order for it to move ahead. Additionally, Trigon Pacific Terminals CEO Rob Booker is urging the federal government to expedite the approval process for the project, arguing it is in that national interest against the backdrop of a trade war with the United States that has Canada seeking new markets for its oil products. Booker says the company's board has given full spending approval for the project, which could be operational as soon as 2029 and would focus on selling product to Japan, South Korea and India, rather than the United States. If it moves ahead, it would have an annual capacity of 2.5 million tonnes per year. "I think this project clearly aligns with federal priorities with respect to Canadian energy security, Canadian export focus away from the U.S.," he said. "It's a win-win-win, in that it's shovel-ready and ready to go and has the money to do it." Trigon operates the largest export terminal at the Port of Prince Rupert, the third-busiest port in Canada. Its focus is primarily on metallurgical coal but it is seeking to diversify into liquefied gas and other products destined for overseas markets. The project is backed by both the Lax Kw'alaams and Metlakatla First Nations, who have equity positions in Trigon, as well as the Albertan government, where much of Canada's petroleum is produced. Brian Jean, Alberta's minister of energy and minerals, called the investment decision "great news for Canada and Alberta." Project could be blocked by exclusivity deal However, aside from regulatory hurdles, Trigon is also facing a legal battle in order to proceed. Last year, the company sued the Port of Prince Rupert, arguing the port is blocking its attempt to change its business model to include liquid gas exports. B.C. coal exporter suing port authority over right to send propane overseas 1 year ago Duration 1:33 The Port of Prince Rupert says Trigon Terminals can't export liquid propane to Asia because two other companies have exclusive rights to do so. Trigon, which is trying to move away from exporting thermal coal, is now suing the port authority over the matter. However, the port has an exclusivity deal with the exporters AltaGas and Vopak who have approved their own $1.35 billion export facility in Prince Rupert and who say part of that decision was based on the deal, which provides them with security in exchange for the investment of time and money needed to advance the project. The Port of Prince Rupert, for its part, has filed a countersuit against Trigon, claiming the initial lawsuit is damaging the port's reputation as a reliable partner and that violating exclusivity could harm future deals. Asked about those lawsuits, Booker said he is "confident there are several paths the federal government can take to make this a win for everyone." Emissions from fossil fuel production rising The federal government has not weighed in on the project, but last week the government of Prime Minister Mark Carney introduced new legislation aimed at fast-tracking major projects, with five criteria to determine whether they are in the "national interest." Those criteria include the project's likelihood of success, whether it would strengthen the country's resiliency and advance the interests of Indigenous Peoples, and whether it would contribute to economic growth in an environmentally responsible way. However, some environmental groups have expressed concern that the threats from the United States are being used as a way to force through projects that would previously have been blocked due to their environmental impacts. Those concerns come as much of western Canada, including parts of B.C., are once again blanketed by smoke from wildfires that have worsened, in part, because of rising temperatures. While Canada's emissions have dropped slightly, the most recent analysis from the Canadian Climate Institute found the progress was largely offset by an increase in emissions from oil and gas production, which as of last year's analysis, made up 31 per cent of Canada's national total.
CTV News
3 days ago
- Business
- CTV News
Trigon gives green light to LPG export facility in Prince Rupert, B.C.
The bulk carrier Unicorn Ocean is seen loading coal at Ridley Terminals, part of the Prince Rupert port system, March 8, 2013. Ridley Terminals was renamed Trigon Pacific Terminals in April 2022. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Robin Rowland PRINCE RUPERT — Trigon Pacific Terminals is giving a green light to a new $750-million liquefied petroleum gas export facility in Prince Rupert, B.C. Trigon chief executive Rob Booker says the company now needs the federal government to expedite the shovel-ready project that he says is in the national interest. Subject to all necessary legal and regulatory approvals, Trigon says the facility is expected to start exports in late 2029. It will have annual capacity of 2.5 million tonnes per year. The company says the final investment decision comes with support from the Lax Kw'alaams and Metlakatla First Nations. Trigon already operates a multi-commodity bulk export terminal at the Port of Prince Rupert. This report by The Canadian Press was first published June 11, 2025.
