A proposal is in place to create an oil refinery on the North Coast, though discussions are very preliminary in nature.
A letter from Lax Kw'alaams Mayor Garry Reece to members of the band indicates a meeting took place on Oct. 4 "to provide Eagle Spirit Energy an opportunity to present their idea on the construction of an oil refinery and the shipment of oil from Grassy Point".
However, details of any such plan are sparse. Eagle Spirit Energy chairman and president Calvin Helin said the group is undertaking community discussions before making any public comment, and the Ministry of Natural Gas Development has been made aware of the proposal but have not had formal discussions with the proponent.
Should the idea proceed, it would be the second oil refinery proposed for the northwest, joining the proposal by Kitimat Clean Ltd. to construct a refinery in the Kitimat Valley.
This isn't the first time Grassy Point has been on the map for potential energy developments. Four companies have submitted proposals to develop LNG export terminals on the site, including Australian energy giant Nexen, Australia's largest independent oil and gas company Woodside Petroleum Ltd., Korean-based SK E&S and a partnership between Imperial Oil and ExxonMobile Canada.
Eagle Spirit Energy Holdings Ltd. was formed last September, with the Aquilini Investment Group providing the financial backing for the company. The stated objective of the company is "to assist aboriginal communities and individuals to become successful with managing economic opportunities in their traditional territories".
Lax Kw'alaams Mayor Garry Reece did not immediately respond to requests for comment from the Northern View.