FortisBC Holdings Inc. signs agreement with First Nation over B.C. LNG project

Photo: The Canadian Press

FortisBC Holdings Inc. says it has signed a deal with a B.C. First Nation over the Tilbury liquefied natural gas expansion projects. Construction workers look on at the FortisBC Tilbury LNG expansion project in Delta, B.C., Monday, Nov. 16, 2015. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Jonathan Hayward

FortisBC Holdings Inc. says it has signed a deal with a First Nation in British Columbia over the Tilbury liquefied natural gas expansion projects.

The subsidiary of utilities company FortisInc. says it will collaborate with the Snuneymuxw First Nation on the expansion of the Tilbury LNG facility in Delta, B.C., and related projects.

FortisBC Holdings says it respects Snuneymuxw's rights in relation to the potential effects of the project and is committed to sharing project benefits with the First Nation.

It says Snuneymuxw has committed to supporting the projects and participating in the required regulatory processes. 

The company says the Tilbury LNG facility expansion is intended to help strengthen FortisBC's gas system, while also serving the growing demand for LNG as a marine fuel.

FortisBC says switching from traditional marine fuel to LNG can reduce greenhouse gas emissions from ships by up to 27 per cent.