Kitimat, British Columbia LNG importation facility approved

The Canadian has given final approval to a proposed LNG importation site in Kitimat, BC, Canada (click for map) giving the Kitimat LNG company a head start over the other proposed west coast LNG sites. Kitimat is a truly remote location (really, it is...did you click the map?) with no apparent cluster of people who would be put at risk by the construction of such a facility.  This is a significant difference from Northern Star's proposed Bradwood siting which, as you know, puts a number of people at risk and would also interfere with merchant shipping for upriver cities like Longview and Portland.

Kitimat LNG's director of communications and consultation Patti Schom-Moffat was interviewed for the BC North Sentinel:

“I think we’ve got a very strong argument that Kitimat is the gateway to the North American market and the Alberta oil fields,” Schom-Moffat emphasized.

Despite the fact the project is currently running six months behind the original schedule, it is still the LNG project closest to becoming a reality on the west coast of North America.

“If you look at the map, it is absolutely pimpled with proposed LNG projects,” Schom-Moffat said. “It’s a race and, while we didn’t come in as early as we would have liked to, we’re still first.”

Rival LNG projects include Westpac in Prince Rupert and Bradwood Landing near Knappa Oregon.

Westpac is projected to start operations in 2011 and Bradwood Landing in 2010.

KLNG is scheduled to come on-line in 2009.

The complete article from the BC North Sentinel

Press release from Kitimat LNG
Announcement of decision from the Canadian Environment Minister