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B.C. Oil and Gas Commission visits Prince Rupert

The B.C. Oil and Gas Commission was in Prince Rupert on Wednesday, introducing themselves through an open house at the Nisga'a Hall.
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Hardy Friedrich of the B.C. Oil and Gas Commission discusses the oil and gas industry with one of the attendees.

The B.C. Oil and Gas Commission was in Prince Rupert on Wednesday night, introducing themselves to residents through a four-hour open house at the Nisga'a Hall.

"The reason for taking this information to the Northwest is to let people know who we are and what we do, what gas is and how it is regulated and pipeline information and regulation ... we regulate the oil and gas industry in B.C., which includes exploration, pipelines, drilling wells, compliance and enforcement and right through to decommissioning of well sites," explained communications manager Hardy Friedrich.

"It's a big role. We are involved in pretty much the entire life cycle of gas projects."

The commission's tour included stops in Smithers, Kitimat, Prince Rupert and Terrace, and Friedrich said it is the first of more to come in light of the emerging energy industry in the region.

"The proposed projects are still well away from the Oil and Gas Commission at this point, but it is still good to have a presence and let people know who we are ... we are continuing to increase our presence in the northwest and will do so in the future," he said, noting these open houses have been a success.

"We are coming from the Northeast where people are quite knowledgeable about oil and gas. As a new industry, we see a lot of interest in oil and gas from people in the northwest."

As well as information sheets on a variety of topics, the open house included information about the B.C. Environmental Assessment Agency and the environmental assessment process itself.