Big push for British Columbia LNG

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VANCOUVER, British Columbia, Feb. 26 (UPI) -- The British Columbia government is offering more than $120 million in royalty credits for work in the natural gas sector, Premier Christy Clark said.

Clark spelled out terms for a royalty credit program at a Vancouver conference on liquefied natural gas.

"We have a real opportunity to create significant wealth and jobs for British Columbians through continued support to our natural gas sector," she said in a statement.

"This program keeps our natural gas sector competitive by encouraging investments in new roads and pipelines, which will help B.C. transition into a global supplier of cleaner energy and a world leader in liquefied natural gas."

British Columbia said the measure provides an incentive to build a LNG sector in the province. The Canadian government aims to add diversity to its export market by tapping into growing Asian economies.

Meanwhile, the consortium managing plans for the 287-mile Pacific Trail Pipeline Project said it reached an agreement in which First Nations will get up to $200 million in financial benefits from the project.

The pipeline would feed a proposed LNG facility at Kitimat. Janine McArdle, president of the pipeline group, said support of aboriginal communities is vital for its success.

"British Columbia has an once-in-a-lifetime opportunity by exporting natural gas to Asia and we want to make sure First Nations are part of this industry's future," Clark said.