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Documents obtained from the B.C. Energy Regulator reveal that the LNG Canada facility near Kitimat has flared gas volumes significantly above its permitted levels. From October through January, the plant’s flaring activities surpassed regulatory limits by alarming margins, prompting scrutiny from environmental researchers and local communities alike.
Flaring Volumes Alarmingly High
Air emissions reports filed by LNG Canada under freedom of information requests indicate that flaring during this four-month period was far from compliant with established permits. The breakdown shows that warm/wet flares exceeded allowed volumes by an average of 45 times, while cold/dry flares were 40 times over the limit. Additionally, flaring related to storage and loading activities surpassed permissible levels by a factor of five.
According to Laura Minet, an air quality researcher at the University of Victoria, the excessive flaring raises critical questions about the facility’s operational standards. She stated, “All the numbers are higher than the permits, and they’ve been consistently higher since last September at least. They should comply with the flaring permits. It’s surprising that they haven’t consistently for many, many months.”
Early Operations Phase Justification
In response to these findings, an LNG Canada spokesperson defended the facility’s operations, asserting that the increased flaring is a typical occurrence during the early stages of operation. The spokesperson explained that regular operations will see a significant reduction in flaring activities. This facility, which is the first of its kind in Canada, is currently undergoing a period of ramp-up, with its initial phase having commenced last summer. Plans are already in motion to double its capacity, which is slated for a fast-tracked review by the federal government.
Since the beginning of March, LNG Canada has issued ten community notifications regarding “flaring events.” One such event on Tuesday lasted three hours, warning residents of a flare reaching heights of 10 to 15 metres, accompanied by noticeable noise and visible emissions.
Health and Environmental Implications
Concerns are mounting among environmental and health advocacy groups regarding the potential impacts of the pollutants released during these flaring events. While LNG Canada asserts that publicly available air quality monitoring data has demonstrated consistently low levels of pollutants such as nitrogen dioxide and sulphur dioxide over the past year, sceptics remain unconvinced.
Minet, who leads the Clean Air Lab, has conducted extensive research on flaring practices at LNG export facilities globally and notes that such operations often lead to elevated flaring levels during their startup phases, which can last up to two years. She emphasised the need for accurate environmental impact assessments that account for these normalised high flaring volumes.
Regulatory Framework Under Scrutiny
The provincial regulations governing flaring are designed to ensure safe combustion of natural gas during operational phases. LNG Canada has stated, “Flaring is a provincially regulated safety measure that ensures the controlled, efficient combustion of natural gas during specific operational phases. It is a critical part of safely operating a facility of this scale and is not expected to be routine during regular operation.”
However, ongoing discrepancies between reported flaring volumes and regulatory limits have led to calls for more stringent oversight and accountability in the industry. As the facility moves towards full operational status, the expectation is that compliance with environmental regulations will improve.
Why it Matters
The excessive flaring at the LNG Canada facility not only raises alarms about regulatory compliance but also highlights broader concerns regarding the environmental impact of natural gas operations in British Columbia. As the province balances its energy ambitions with environmental stewardship, the situation presents a crucial test of regulatory frameworks and corporate accountability. Public awareness and scrutiny are essential in ensuring that the energy sector operates within the bounds of environmental protection, safeguarding both community health and the natural environment for future generations.
