Westcoast Gas Services Inc. has made an application to construct and operate the world's largest Liquid Natural Gas Storage Container and corresponding facilities on The Sunshine Coast of British Columbia, Canada.

January 2005
No - we were mistaken in 2000 - it's not over. The Environmental Assessment Branch has extended Duke Energy a permit until April 9, 2009 to build the world’s largest LNG tank in our community.

January 2000
It is officially over, the new SCRD board members have voted against rezoning and Westcoast Gas Services Inc. have withdrawn their rezoning application.

In the recent elections before the latest vote all board members, with the exception of Lee Turnbull, were replaced.

14 October 1999
After their own staff report recommended that rezoning for an LNG Storage Facility be denied this is how the SCRD members voted:

Patricia Baldwin: Voted in favour of rezoning
Lee Turnbull: Voted to deny rezoning
Elise Rudland: Voted in favour of rezoning
Peter Peach: Voted in favour of rezoning
Lyle Forbes: Voted to deny rezoning

This web site aims to provide information about the idea of constructing, yes, the world's largest above ground LNG Storage Facility in Howe Sound, British Columbia and to give voice to anyone who has a concern, opinion or comment.

Today is
The concept for this web site took shape on 02 April 1999.
What has been done to date:

15 August, 1999

Gislason Report - Impacts of an LNG Storage Facility for the Sunshine Coast
Prepared for the SCRD.

The following politicians have been individually contacted and a request for written statements explaining their position with respect to this issue has been made:

The names with a red asterisk (*) are the SCRD board members who will be voting on the rezoning for the LNG Storage Container Facility. * Eric Cardinal will not be voting on this issue due to a conflict of interest and has appointed an alternate, Lee Turnbull.

The author has left messages with members of the Sechelt Council (17 April 99). One member did not have an message machine and has not been contacted. All members are invited to make a statement.

Westcoast Gas Services Inc. has been contacted and a request for a written statement explaining the benefits of this LNG Storage Facility to The Sunshine Coast Community has been made. They have also been asked if they have any concerns about this location for such a facility. WGSI has responded.

21 April 1999
The author has asked Westcoast Gas Services for measurements of an LNG Storage Facility in Memphis. WGSI has used this facility, in presentations to local organizations, as an example of what may be proposed for Howe Sound. The author received a reply to this response but no actual measurements have been forwarded. The American Facility and WGSI's reply are on the McNab Creek page.

20 May 1999
The author has asked Westcoast Gas Services to address the question of this LNG Facility being proposed to other communities.

Has this facility been proposed to other communities?
If so, which communities have been approached.

The Gibsons Chamber of Commerce has been contacted. They have responded with a copy of their letter offering support for the facility. The author has asked them for a brief summary of the reason(s) why. That documentation has not yet been forthcoming.

Who are the members of the Gibsons Chamber of Commerce?
A list of current 1999 Members of the Gibsons Chamber of Commerce.

The Sechelt Chamber of Commerce has been contacted. No documentation has yet been received from the Sechelt Chamber of Commerce.

The Squamish Nation has been contacted. They have asked the author to email them with a request for information.

Two local mainstream environmental organizations (one being BC Spaces for Nature) have been contacted. When asked by phone for a statement these two groups chose not to comment about the impact that such a structure may have on the environment they live in.

The Vancouver-based West Coast Wilderness Committee has expressed an opinion on the proposed LNG Storage Facility.

David Suzuki Foundation News Release - B.C. missing the boat on new energy economy. Environment report card gives province a failing grade on greenhouse gas emissions (20 January 1999)

David Suzuki Foundation News Release - B.C. needs fewer emissions, not more gas (17 December 1998).

Environment Canada: Pacific and Yukon Region
Comments Regarding Westcoast Gas Services Inc. LNG Storage Facility

Individual members of the community have been contacted. Basically, everyone the author of this site comes into contact with these days is questioned. Some are aware of what is happening, while others are unaware that a proposed LNG Storage Facility is still being considered. Some are for the facility, while others are opposed.

Everyone is invited to voice questions, comments and concerns.

Questions this site is asking:

What are the pros of such a facility?
What are the safety, health, environmental, and economic risks?
Are the risks worth the benefit?

Who is going to use this gas?
Given that British Columbia has a use for less than 10 peak days.

Is there not a better location for the world's largest LNG Storage Facility?
Rather than in an earthquake zone on a populated coast.

What toll will this take on the Sunshine Coast's future tourism industry?
An industry that promotes the pristine, natural beauty of this area.

Democracy works best with an informed public.

This site presents digital information about a proposed LNG Storage Facility in the Howe Sound area of British Columbia. Information comes in many forms.

One attribute of the internet is unlimited space. Any length of information is welcome, but please try to summarize lengthy documentation because it is easy to get overwhelmed. Supporting content will be given lots of room so send it along with the summary.

Unsupported information, in the form of opinion, is also welcome. It is not necessary for you to be a technical wizard in order to have a valid point of view.

All points of view are welcome and will not be edited. If, at any time, you have a concern about presentation of information on the site, please contact the author and you will be given an explanation or a change will be made.

This web site is the project of one individual. I am not a member of any group, organization or political party. I have developed this site on my own initiative and am attempting to gather information that will balance potential benefits and potential risks pertaining to the construction of an LNG Peak Shaving Facility.

With information comes knowledge and understanding. If all concerned parties are willing to share their information, the community will be able to realistically debate this issue. Presently there are too many unanswered questions.

I ask everyone with information to bring it forward. I was at the last meeting and I have talked with many people. I am very impressed by the knowledge and the genuine love for this coast. People are striving to make this a place they can work and live in. And a place that their children can do the same.

I put my faith in the members of the community and I ask you to do the same.
Please share your information.

jayun mcdowell

email me here