VICTORIA, B.C. – BC Green MLA for West Vancouver–Sea to Sky, Jeremy Valeriote, is calling on the provincial government to halt the expansion of fossil fuel infrastructure including LNG Canada Phase 2, Woodfibre LNG, Cedar LNG, and Ksi Lisims following new research that shows emissions from gas flaring are being dramatically underestimated and under-reported by export plant operators, putting residents at significant health risks.
“This government has sacrificed climate, air and water quality, ecosystem integrity, and Indigenous title and rights considerations to push LNG projects forward,” said Valeriote. “It’s now obvious they are fine to sacrifice the health of British Columbians. The Premier needs to get real about LNG flaring, and include it in emissions reporting and environmental assessments.”
According to the study, flare emissions are toxic and have serious health impacts, including preterm birth and respiratory illness. Start-up emissions are not accounted for in environmental assessments and are exempted from carbon price calculations for the first two years of operations, giving big polluters a big break and leaving regulators, taxpayers and communities in the dark.
“This government is putting the health of British Columbians at risk for the sake of redundant fossil fuel expansion,” said Valeriote. “We owe it to our communities to conduct proper environmental assessments and be honest about the risks of LNG. Treating the assessment process as nothing more than a barrier to project approvals—as Bill 14 has—misrepresents its purpose: protecting the health and well-being of British Columbians.”
In Kitimat, where LNG Canada is under construction, Northern Health has already documented asthma rates 74% higher than the provincial average, with nitrogen dioxide levels projected to exceed national guidelines by 43% if Phase 2 of the project proceeds.
“The residents of Kitimat are already breathing unsafe levels of pollution,” said Valeriote. “To knowingly approve projects that push communities even further beyond health guidelines is irresponsible.”
Valeriote criticized the government for approving and funding LNG projects without requiring full data on flaring or health impacts. “The BC Energy Regulator is not properly recording and tracking emissions of LNG flares—that needs to change.”
“This isn’t just a BC problem, it’s a global issue,” added Valeriote. “The first step is to properly track and disclose flare emissions; the next is to fully understand the health impacts. Once those are known, in combination with climate, U.S. economic interference, and affordability factors, I am confident British Columbians will coalesce around the need to stop the expansion of this harmful industry.”
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Media contact
Ryan Hook
Press Secretary
BC Green Caucus
+1 250-882-6187 | ryan.hook@leg.bc.ca