Documents obtained by a researcher from the University of Victoria reveal that flaring at the LNG Canada facility on British Columbia’s northern coast has significantly exceeded permitted levels between October and January. This alarming data, sourced from monthly air emissions reports submitted to the B.C. Energy Regulator, indicates that the facility’s flaring activities are far higher than what regulations allow, prompting concerns from environmental and health advocacy groups.
Flaring Volumes on the Rise
The reports categorise flaring into three distinct sources: warm/wet, cold/dry, and storage and loading. Alarmingly, the warm/wet flares averaged 45 times over the permitted volume, cold/dry flares exceeded limits by 40 times, and flaring during storage and loading operations was five times higher than allowed.
Located in Kitimat, B.C., the LNG Canada plant processes natural gas, transforming it into liquid form for export to lucrative Asian markets. A spokesperson for LNG Canada stated that the facility is still in its early operational phase and that increased flaring is typical during this period. They assured stakeholders that flaring would be significantly reduced during regular operations.
Community Notifications and Environmental Concerns
Since the beginning of March, LNG Canada has issued ten community notifications regarding flaring events. One such notification detailed a flare lasting three hours, reaching heights of 10 to 15 metres, accompanied by noticeable noise and visible emissions.
Local health and environmental organisations have expressed growing concern over potential health risks associated with the pollutants released during these flaring events. However, LNG Canada maintains that publicly available air quality monitoring data has shown consistently low levels of nitrogen dioxide and sulphur dioxide over the past year.
“Flaring is a provincially regulated safety measure that ensures the controlled and efficient combustion of natural gas during specific operational phases,” the company stated. “It is critical for the safe operation of a facility of this scale and is not expected to be routine during regular operation.”
Research Highlights Compliance Issues
Laura Minet, who heads the Clean Air Lab at the University of Victoria, has focused her research on flaring at LNG export facilities worldwide and sought data from LNG Canada as it began operations. She noted, “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.”
Minet’s research suggests that flaring during startup phases is common across LNG facilities, typically lasting around two years. She argues that such high flaring volumes must be factored into environmental impact assessments for future developments.
The Broader Implications
As LNG Canada considers plans to double its capacity in a proposed second phase—currently under expedited review by the federal government—these findings raise critical questions about environmental governance and community health. The facility, already the first of its kind in Canada, stands as a focal point for the ongoing debate surrounding energy production and environmental responsibility in Western Canada.
Why it Matters
The substantial flaring at LNG Canada not only raises compliance concerns but also highlights the complexities of balancing economic interests with environmental stewardship. As the facility moves towards potentially expanding its operations, the public and regulatory bodies must scrutinise its environmental impact more closely. The findings underscore a pressing need for transparent monitoring and robust accountability mechanisms to safeguard both community health and the environment in the face of escalating energy demands.
