Editor:
Re: PETRONAS must respond, Sept, 16
I would like to take the opportunity to provide your readers with some more information regarding the safety and standards that our proposed Pacific NorthWest LNG facility would be operating under.
The safe construction and operation of a LNG facility is of paramount importance to our team working to design a facility that will meet or exceed stringent British Columbian, Canadian and international codes and standards that set out best practices and benchmarks for LNG facilities. Furthermore, the design of our facility would be certified by Canadian professional engineers.
While we are confident that our project will be built and operated in a safe manner, our plans have considered all types of accidents and malfunctions that could occur, and preventative measures for all potential incidents. Through the regulatory process, these plans have been provided to the BC and federal government and are available for public review online or in our community office.
The work to ensure that we build and operate the safest LNG facility possible doesn’t stop there. As we move into the construction phase of our project, Pacific NorthWest LNG will be required to obtain over 30 permits from a number of independent government agencies, including the BC Oil and Gas Commission. The permitting process moves hand-in-hand with the construction and operation of a LNG facility and includes numerous inspections, detailed reports and studies. Permits to proceed to each phase of the project will not be granted by the independent regulator until their strict requirements are met.
The facility has been designed to include numerous proactive safety systems and protocols that will be continually built upon. In particular, strict preventative maintenance measures will be regularly conducted over the 40-year life of the LNG facility.
It is in everyone’s interest to build and operate a LNG facility as safely as possible, including local residents who will have an opportunity for long-term careers in LNG at our facility. That’s why Pacific NorthWest LNG is working closely with our independent regulators as we design, build and operate a facility that will serve as a new industry benchmark for environmental sustainability and safety.
Michael Culbert
President, Pacific NorthWest LNG