The province has released a list of 18 critical mineral and energy projects worth roughly $20 billion that it says it’s working to accelerate in the face of ongoing tariff threats from the United States.
The government says the “initial list” is made up of projects that already have developed business cases but still need some type of permit or approval from government.
Among them is North River Midstreams' NEBC Connector Project. The 213-kilometre pipeline will transfer LNG from the company’s Highway Liquids Hub northwest of Fort St. John to Gordondale, Alberta.
The company received the province’s approval on January 17, 2025, and says they will continue to work in partnership with regulatory authorities and First Nations, but refrained from further comment.
In September of last year, the company filed a Notice of Motion and Constitutional Question calling on the Canada Energy Regulator to authorize the use of Crown land. At the time, regulatory delays and delays in establishing a new disturbance cap with the Blueberry River First Nation put the project “at risk.”
The pipeline project is one of three initial energy security projects, alongside Cedar LNG and Enbridge T-North.
The list also includes two wind projects in Fort St. John and Taylor. The Stewart Creek Wind Project secured a 30-year electricity purchase agreement with BC Hydro in December of last year, in partnership with the West Moberly First Nations, and is expected to be operational by 2028.
The Taylor Wind Project, aimed at transitioning from fossil fuels to clean energy, was announced last month by the province. It involves a partnership between EDF Renewables and the Saulteau First Nations, with an expected power generation start date of 2031.
The Office of the Premier says in a statement that the projects will employ approximately 8,000 people in B.C. and the provincial government is working to identify other projects.
The release of the list comes after Premier David Eby said on Monday that the government was expediting them to diversify the economy, assuming there would be “four years of continual on and off tariff threats” from the United States under the presidency of Donald Trump.
*With files from a report by The Canadian Press was first published Feb. 4, 2025.