A $2.4 billion Haisla Nation-owned Cedar LNG terminal received environmental approval from the B.C. government.

On Tuesday, the B.C. government proclaimed it had issued an environmental assessment certificate to Cedar LNG Partners LP for the proposed $2.4 billion Cedar LNG export terminal in Kitimat.

Cedar LNG Partners is a partnership between the Haisla Nation and Pembina Pipeline Corp., with the Haisla being the majority owners. LNG Canada is presently building a LNG export terminal in Kitimat, to be fed by the Coastal GasLink natural gas pipeline which is predictable to be complete later this year.

“They proposed to build and work the electrified floating watery natural gas (LNG) facility and marine export terminal in Kitimat on Haisla Nation-owned land, to be supplied with natural gas from the Coastal GasLink pipeline that is under construction,” a B.C. government statement issued on Tuesday said.  “Cedar LNG Partners still must get any required central approvals and local permits and approvals before they would be capable to start construction.”

According to information released by Cedar LNG Partners, the project would have a spread capacity of three million tonnes of LNG per year, enough to fill an LNG tanker every seven to 10 days.

The project is expected to hire 500 workers during the four-year construction period, and create 100 enduring jobs once complete.

The local environmental approval includes 16 conditions, including plans to mitigate greenhouse gas releases, air pollution, waste and work safely.

“The ministers also agreed that the Cedar LNG project supports settlement with Haisla Nation,” a B.C. government statement said.  “The ministers received letters expressing support for Haisla to pursue the project from Gitxaala Nation and Kitselas First Nation, and non-opposition to the issuance of an ecological assessment certificate from Gitga’at First Nation and Kitsumkalum First Nation.”