MLA wants tougher rules on B.C. pipelines earmarked for LNG projects

A proposed network of pipelines from natural gas fields in British Columbia’s northeast to liquefied natural gas export plants in the northwest will not be permitted to pump oil and diluted bitumen, the provincial government says.

The Natural Gas Development Ministry said a new regulation prohibits the B.C. Oil and Gas Commission from allowing any conversion of a natural gas pipeline supplying an LNG facility.

[New Assembly of First Nations Chief Perry Bellegarde is promising a tougher stance on aboriginal rights and natural resources. Bellegarde says resource development on First Nations land will be done on First Nations' terms.]

But the Opposition New Democrats said the regulation is not tough enough.

Stikine, B.C., New Democrat Doug Donaldson said Tuesday he wants legislation instead to guarantee oil and bitumen won’t end up in the proposed gas pipelines. He said that, in the spring, he intends to reintroduce his private member’s bill from last year in an effort to ban oil and bitumen from the pipelines.