Ksi Lisims approval: Eby Government backs MAGA-linked LNG terminal, risks devastating climate impacts

səl̓ílwətaʔɬ (Tsleil-Waututh), xʷməθkwəy̓əm (Musqueam), and Skwxwú7mesh (Squamish) territories (VANCOUVER, B.C.) – The Ksi Lisims LNG export terminal – which is owned by Texas-based Western LNG and championed by the Nisga͛’a Nation – has been approved by David Eby’s BC NDP government.

Western LNG is funded by U.S. private equity firms, led by Wall Street giants Blackstone and Apollo Global Management. The CEO of Blackstone, Stephen Schwarzman, is one of Donald Trump’s top 10 donors – personally contributing nearly $40 million last year to elect MAGA candidates.

“We’re already in the second worst wildfire season in Canadian history. Who in their right mind would want to put more Canadians at climate impact risk for the sake of foreign billionaire business interests?” said Kiki Wood, Senior Oil and Gas Campaigner with Stand.earth. “The Ksi Lisims terminal, the associated Prince Rupert Gas Transmission pipeline, and the upstream fracking that they will enable will be devastating for the climate and for local communities along its route.” [1][2]

Even as LNG Canada is making its first shipments of LNG, and as several gas projects are proposed for the BC Coast – including Prince Rupert Gas Pipeline, as well as the Tilbury, and LNG Canada phase 2 expansions – the global market for LNG  is facing a looming supply glut.

“LNG terminals and pipelines like Ksi Lisims are a financial risk. They will go over budget,” said Richard Brooks, Climate Finance Director with Stand.earth. ”They will cost taxpayers billions. Instead, we should move forward with cleaner, less risky climate solutions – like renewable energy – that don’t violate Indigenous rights and are already scalable and shovel ready.”

While the climate impacts of exporting LNG will be global and devastating, Stand.earth estimates that from all proposed or approved LNG projects, the Salish Sea will experience 6,600 tanker voyages, and the Great Bear Sea will experience 36,900 tanker voyages over the lifetime of the current export licenses. This will be extremely harmful for local communities and already stressed marine life like whales.

“Adding 160 tankers per year in the Great Bear Sea will hurt whales and communities. Tankers are polluting and dangerous for wildlife like salmon and whales. Accidents happen, and the best way to prevent them is to say no to dangerous projects,” said Anna Barford, Oceans Campaigner with Stand.earth.

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[1] Read more about the provincial and federal power grab here.

[2] Read more about PRGT pipeline violations here

Read our reaction to the Prince Rupert Gas Transmission Line here.

Debunked myths about LNG can be seen here.

Contact

Kiki Wood, Senior Oil and Gas Campaigner – Stand.earth +1 604-367-1865.

kiki@stand.earth  (Pacific Time)

Arin de Hoog, Communications, Oil, Gas and Shipping – Stand.earth. +1 613-978-7329,

arin.dehoog@stand.earth (Eastern Time)