The potential site for the controversial compressor station, related to the Eagle Mountain - Woodfibre Gas Pipeline Project, is being reconsidered — again.
FortisBC confirmed to The Chief Monday that it is considering moving the compressor station from Mount Mulligan to the Woodfibre LNG site.
“In response to feedback from the community, we are evaluating the possibility of locating the new Squamish compressor station at or near the Woodfibre site,” Vanessa Connolly, senior manager of external relations with FortisBC told The Chief on Monday. “We are currently carrying out a feasibility assessment. If a new location is chosen, we would follow all necessary regulatory processes.”
Squamish Nation leadership told The Chief it is aware of the possible change, but didn’t express an opinion on the move.
“As one of the local governments, the Nation will review any changes in the scope of the project and will await further information and analysis,” said Khelsilem, Nation spokesperson and councillor.
Mayor Karen Elliott said the District is in talks with both Woodfibre LNG and FortisBC as plans for the LNG facility progress.
“We have been informed that FortisBC is looking at whether or not a site on or near the Woodfibre LNG site may be suitable for a compressor station, and expect more information in the fall once they complete their due diligence,” she said in an email to The Chief.
The compressor station was initially slated for the Squamish business park, but opposition from residents and the Squamish Nation led to the Mount Mulligan, Valleycliffe location to be chosen instead.
Valleycliffe residents and representatives with the Squamish-based environmental activist group My Sea to Sky were not happy with the Mount Mulligan location, 1.8 kilometres from residences.
Noise, proximity to drinking water sources, greenhouse gas emissions and, other safety concerns, were also cited as issues with the Valleycliffe location.
The Woodfibre LNG site is about seven kilometres southwest of Squamish.
My Sea to Sky’s Tracey Saxby told The Chief the move to relocate the planned facility is a step in the right direction.
“We appreciate that FortisBC has taken our safety concerns about the location of the compressor station on Mount Mulligan seriously,” she said. “This is also an opportunity for FortisBC to do the right thing and use electricity to power the compressor station, which means less local air pollution.”
Saxby added that the group would like more information about the relocation to Woodfibre, in particular about the safety of placing the facility so close to the liquefaction plant and floating LNG storage units.
The Chief reached out to the Squamish Nation, but did not receive an immediate reply.
*Please note, this story is being updated as more information becomes available.
Rendering of the Woodfibre LNG site once operational. - Woodfibre LNG
