- British Columbia issued an order-in-council exempting the Phase 1B Tilbury LNG expansion from needing a certificate of public convenience and necessity under the Utilities Commission Act.
- Energy Minister Adrian Dix stated that skipping the regulatory step will save time and allow the expansion to proceed, creating 1,100 jobs during construction and generating $260 million in tax revenues.
- Kelly Greene, the minister of emergency management and climate readiness, expressed disappointment over the decision, citing safety concerns regarding the expansion.
- Premier David Eby stated he helped a cabinet minister write her statement denouncing the expansion plans, despite his government advocating for the project.
- Eby mentioned that his government has a "big tent" approach, which allowed Greene to criticize the LNG expansion plan.
- The government confirmed that the project will remain subject to all other applicable regulatory approvals and permitting requirements before construction.
British Columbia Premier David Eby defended the government's controversial decision to bypass regulatory steps for the Tilbury LNG expansion, which has drawn criticism from within his cabinet.4
Minister Kelly Greene, responsible for emergency management and climate readiness, expressed her disappointment over the decision, citing significant safety concerns. She stated, "I am disappointed in the decision by FortisBC to move forward with the next phase of the Tilbury LNG project."3
In response, Eby emphasized that his government operates under a “big tent” philosophy, allowing for diverse opinions within the cabinet. He noted that he assisted Greene in crafting her statement, highlighting the internal conflict regarding the project.
The provincial government announced an order-in-council on Friday, exempting the Phase 1B expansion from needing a certificate of public convenience and necessity under the Utilities Commission Act.1
Energy Minister Adrian Dix justified the decision, stating that bypassing this regulatory step would expedite the project, facilitating investments and creating 1,100 jobs during construction, along with generating $260 million in tax revenues.2
The government reassured that the project would still be subject to all other regulatory approvals and permitting requirements before construction, which could commence by mid-next year, with operations potentially starting as early as 2031.6
“The government’s order-in-council allows the Tilbury LNG expansion to proceed without a certificate, potentially creating 1,100 construction jobs and generating $260 million in tax revenues. However, Minister Kelly Greene expressed her disappointment over safety concerns related to the project, highlighting internal dissent within the government.”
