By July 27, 2017 Read More →

Canada brief July 27: TransCanada to be reimbursed for cancelled Pacific NorthWest LNG pipeline

Pacific NorthWest LNG

Artist rendering of Pacific NorthWest LNG.

Also in this news brief: Ship slow down through BC’s Haro Strait hoped to be beneficial for endangered Southern Resident Killer Whale pod, TransCanada launches Keystone XL pipeline open season

TransCanada Corporation was notified that Petronas affiliate Pacific NorthWest LNG would not be proceeding with their proposed LNG project near Port Edward, British Columbia.

“As part of our agreement with PETRONAS affiliate, Progress Energy, following receipt of a termination notice, TransCanada would be reimbursed for the full costs and carrying charges incurred to advance the PRGT project. We expect to receive this payment later in 2017,” said  Karl Johannson, TransCanada’s President.

TransCanada says it is reviewing its options related to the companies proposed Prince Rupert Gas Transmission (PRGT) project and says there is still a strong need for Canadian natural gas supplies to get to market.

The infrastructure the company is building in Alberta and British Columbia, including recently announced multi-billion dollar investments in the NGTL system and North Montney Mainline, are designed to help move natural gas supplies to markets.

“We are proud of the work we have done along the PRGT route, which has allowed us to sign 14 Project Agreements with First Nations and secure the key regulatory approvals and permits. We have built strong new relationships, and we look forward to continuing our strong partnerships with First Nations and communities in B.C. as we develop other natural gas assets, including our North Montney Mainline project,” said Johannson.

“This important project is backed by independent 20-year commercial service agreements with 11 shippers (including Progress Energy), and pending regulatory approvals, we remain ready to move forward.”

Ship slow down through BC’s Haro Strait hoped to be beneficial for endangered Southern Resident Killer Whale pod

The recovery of the endangered Southern Resident Killer Whale is a top priority for the shipping companies plying the waters of the West Coast, says the BC Chamber of Shipping.

Existing science indicates that the species faces three anthropogenic threats, including contaminated water, a lack of prey, and physical and acoustic disturbance.

Research suggests that underwater noise from vessels can interfere with killer whale communications, constraining the ability to hunt and navigate. It also suggests that vessels operating at lower speeds typically generate less underwater noise.

The Chamber says its member companies – representing international cruise lines, container, tankers, auto, bulk and breakbulk carriers – fully support for the two-month trial to reduce vessel transit speeds through Haro Strait to 11 knots beginning August 6.

Haro Strait is a prime feeding area for the endangered Southern Resident Killer Whale and also serves as the marine corridor for vessels calling western Canadian ports in the Lower Mainland and Vancouver Island, with an average of 7-8 inbound and outbound transits per day.

“The path to this trial has been years in the making and is the result of progressive leadership and collaboration inherent in the Vancouver Fraser Port Authority’s ECHO Program,” said Chamber of Shipping President Robert Lewis-Manning in a press release.

“Our member companies are serious about supporting solutions that are based in science and this commitment is indicative of new and innovative approaches by a network of First Nations, scientists, researchers, regulators, NGOs, and industry.”

Throughout the trial, researchers will measure the change in underwater noise from the speed reduction in Haro Strait.

The commercial marine industry will collect data to determine the impact of the slow-down as it relates to safety, supply chain efficiency, and commercial operations.

The results of the trial will not only determine if a speed reduction could have a positive impact for this iconic whale species, but will also inform the Government of Canada of other necessary and complementary regulatory and operational measures that would ensure the safety and competitiveness of marine transportation during the recovery of the species.

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TransCanada launches Keystone XL pipeline open season

TransCanada Corporation launched an open season to solicit additional binding commitments from interested parties for transportation of crude oil on the Keystone Pipeline and for the Keystone XL Pipeline project from Hardisty, Alberta to markets in Cushing, Oklahoma and the US Gulf Coast, according to a press release.

The Calgary-based company says that interested parties have until 12 p.m. MT on September 28 to submit binding bids.

The controversial 830,000 b/d Keystone XL was rejected by former President Barack Obama, who said that the Alberta crude oil the pipeline would carry was “dirty oil” and would add too much carbon dioxide to the atmosphere.

President Donald Trump promised during his election campaign that he would approve Keystone XL and signed an executive order authorizing the project shortly after taking office.

Keystone XL still faces legal battles launched by environmentalists and farmers, as well as a strong opposition from the environmental movement.

Publisher Markham Hislop argued in a March column that the eco-activists arguments are flawed because the Alberta Climate Leadership Plan addressed many of their arguments about greenhouse gas emissions.

 

 

 

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