LETTER: Pipelines and LNG terminals don’t lead to cleaner future

08/12/25
Author: 
Jane Welton
View from above of progress on a portion of the LNG Canada terminal in Kitimat. (Michael Bramadat-Willcock/Terrace Standard file photo)  Read more at: https://vancouverislandfreedaily.com/2025/12/07/letter-pipelines-and-lng-terminals-dont-lead-to-cleaner-future/

Dec. 7, 2025

The recent CleanBC Review report “Rising to the Moment” shows clearly that the B.C. government is not rising to the moment as it pursues LNG expansion.  The review notes that, if the six proposed new LNG terminals are built, they will use the output of 7.5 Site C dams for electrification and vast taxpayer dollars and divert resources from going big on what truly is a great economic opportunity that B.C. is extremely well positioned for – the clean energy transition (which is well underway globally).  We have abundant sun, wind, water and geothermal available here, along with clean-tech innovators who already punch above their weight. Clean energy is the way of the future, with $2 now being invested in it for every $1 invested in fossil fuels worldwide. It will benefit us via new jobs, affordability, healthier communities and energy security and efficiency.

LNG is the way of the past, keeping us tied to volatile prices and uncertain markets that are likely to shrink. Moreover, LNG is mostly methane. When used, it adds to the warmth of the blanket wrapping our planet 28 times the amount carbon dioxide does for the next 100 years.  The review recommends using climate action indicators that are easy to count. I propose two: new LNG terminals and new pipelines. The target for both: zero!
 
[Top photo: View from above of progress on a portion of the LNG Canada terminal in Kitimat. (Michael Bramadat-Willcock/Terrace Standard file photo)]