Scrapping LNG project great news
Re: Steelhead LNG project at Bamberton scrapped
This is indeed great news for South Cowichanians and residents across B.C. worried about LNG plants that could be built, or are proposed, in their respective areas.
The Times Colonist story, while timely, sadly does not explain why the plug was pulled on this risky, controversial project pitched by Steelhead and the Malahat Nation. It was simply the wrong place and the wrong fuel as the world finally heads toward clean, green energy.
This logical decision also underlines how wrong our former B.C. Liberal government was to support natural gas — that’s being fracked — during depressed world markets for this dirty commodity. Thankfully, our Cowichan Valley Regional District recognized the dangerous dirtiness of LNG at Bamberton and unanimously voted against allowing zoning for any LNG inside our Valley’s borders. While the CVRD later announced directors must legally listen to all proposals, directors had already expressed their objection to LNG projects such as that targeted for Bamberton.
South Cowichan residents, Saanich Inlet First Nations elders, and scientists were also roundly opposed to Steelhead’s proposed project. They cited potential harm to salmon stocks, our inlet’s sensitive ecology, noise and visual pollution, traffic issues, explosion risks, and property devaluations.
The correct decision to sink this perilous project proves citizens’ voices do matter and carry weight. It also shows B.C. residents must remain vigilant and vocal about environmental concerns. Still, questions remain about why our current provincial NDP-Green party coalition government didn’t act, as promised, toward cancelling LNG off Bamberton.
Peter W. Rusland
Duncan