Tilbury Phase 2 LNG Expansion project

FortisBC has filed an Environmental Assessment (EA) Application with the B.C. Environmental Assessment Office (BC EAO) for Tilbury Phase 2 LNG Expansion Project. Located within the existing Tilbury LNG facility footprint and on the lands, waters, and territories of Indigenous rights holders, the project serves two key purposes:

• To ensure that our current Lower Mainland customers and anticipated population growth continue to have reliable energy with the construction of a new LNG storage tank and,
• To serve emerging markets for LNG as a lower-carbon fuel such as for marine fueling with the construction of additional liquefaction capacity. 

Tilbury already produces LNG that is among the lowest carbon-intensity in the world and in accordance with Provincial regulations, the Project will be net-zero once in operation.

In 2022, the Musqueam Indian Band (xʷməθkʷəy̓əm) and FortisBC signed an agreement, that has both parties working in close collaboration with the shared goal of developing a world-leading LNG facility.

The Tilbury Phase 2 LNG Expansion Project has entered a 180-day Review period led by the B.C., EAO. During this time, there is a 45-day public comment period where the public is invited to learn more about the project and participate in both in-person and virtual information sessions.  

For details on how to participate in the environmental assessment process, visit the BC EAO website.

The Tilbury LNG Storage Expansion project is subject to regulation by the BC Utilities Commission (BCUC). The project will include the construction of the new LNG storage tank and equipment to increase our capacity to flow gas from the Tilbury LNG facility back into our system that serves BC.

Following our project application for a CPCN in December 2020, the BCUC released a decision requesting additional analysis. On October 24, 2024, we filed supplemental evidence to support the granting of a CPCN for the TLSE Project that addresses the BCUC’s comments.

We’ve been engaging local governments, Indigenous groups, landowners, and area residents to share details on the project and obtain feedback. Anyone interested in getting involved with the process can visit the BCUC website.

We’re pleased to be one step closer to ensuring we have an additional backup source of natural gas in the event of a gas supply disruption. If approved, construction is expected to start as early as 2026 and completed by 2029.

Snuneymuxw First Nation and FortisBC Holdings Inc. announced the signing of an agreement which will result in the parties working in close collaboration on and sharing benefits associated with the Tilbury LNG Projects. This agreement is a direct result of the long-standing relationship both parties have fostered over many years. This agreement is yet another example of how FortisBC is committed to working closely and building strong relationships with First Nations to ensure benefits from our projects extend into communities.

Musqueam Indian Band and FortisBC Holdings Inc. are pleased to announce the Tilbury Projects Agreement, which includes options for Musqueam to acquire equity ownership in the proposed projects subject to regulatory approvals and other conditions . This includes the Tilbury LNG Storage Expansion Project and the Tilbury Marine Jetty Project. The equity options recognize the important relationship between FortisBC and Musqueam, and our shared desire to be true partners.

A new study commissioned by FortisBC shows moving to liquefied natural gas (LNG) from the Tilbury facility as a marine fuel source would bring near-term air quality improvements to the region, while encouraging the marine shipping industry to advance its efforts to decarbonize.

Learn more about why LNG as a marine fuel unlocks major air quality improvements for Metro Vancouver.

The Tilbury Phase 2 LNG Expansion project has entered a 45-day public comment period led by the BC Environmental Assessment Office (BC EAO). During this time, the public is invited to learn more about the project and participate in virtual information sessions on March 3 and March 9, 2022. For details on how to participate in the environmental assessment process, visit the BC EAO website. 

This week our Tilbury Phase 2 LNG Expansion project took another significant step forward with two regulatory approvals. Both the BC Environmental Assessment Office (BC EAO) and Impact Assessment Agency of Canada (IAAC) have accepted our detailed project description. IAAC also accepted our response to the Joint Summary of Issues and Engagement submitted on January 4, 2022. 

Our proposed project moves onto the following:

1. BC EAO: Our application has moved to the Process Planning phase of the environmental assessment (EA). Working in collaboration with participating Indigenous groups, this phase formalizes how the project EA will be carried out, including the information to be gathered, who must be involved in the EA, and the timing of each of the subsequent phases of the EA.
2. IAAC: IAAC has requested an impact assessment for our project, which is currently in the Planning Stage. The assessment will include the best ways to avoid or reduce the project’s negative impacts, while also enhancing the positive impacts of the project. The timeline for the impact assessment has resumed. The federal minister of environment and climate change has approved the province’s request for substitution of the impact assessment. This means the BC EAO will lead the assessment on behalf of IAAC.

FortisBC is committed to continuing engagement with the local community, including opportunities for dialogue throughout these regulatory processes. The feedback we have received to date has helped us develop our applications and filings. 

Following a period of extended early engagement, the proposed Tilbury Phase 2 LNG Expansion is entering a new phase of the environmental assessment process. The detailed project description has been filed with the BC Environmental Assessment Office (BC EAO) to complete the early engagement phase of the project. It will also be filed with the Impact Assessment Agency of Canada.

Input from Indigenous groups, stakeholders and the general public was incorporated into the detailed project description that outlines the project and its potential impacts. Click here to read more about the early engagement process and how we incorporated feedback into the detailed project description.

Today marks a major step forward as we file our project application for a Certificate of Public Convenience and Necessity with the British Columbia Utilities Commission (BCUC). The Tilbury Storage Expansion project would strengthen the resiliency of our natural gas system so that we can help ensure our customers have the energy they need in their homes and businesses.

The project would include the construction of a new liquefied natural gas (LNG) storage tank and equipment to increase our capacity to flow gas back into our gas system. If approved, construction could start in 2022 and be completed by 2026.

Visit BCUC’s web site to learn more how you can get involved in the BCUC’s regulatory process.

The environmental assessment of the Tilbury Phase 2 LNG Expansion Project resumes June 1 with a 45-day public comment period led by the Impact Assessment Agency of Canada and BC Environmental Assessment Office. During this time, the public is invited to learn more about the project and participate in virtual open houses on June 18 and June 23. Full details on how to participate online or by phone will be shared soon. For more details on the regulatory process, and to provide input on the project, visit either the EAO or IAAC websites.

In light of the COVID-19 pandemic, FortisBC has requested and received approval from the Environmental Assessment Office to extend Early Engagement on the Tilbury Phase 2 LNG Expansion Project from 90 days to 120 days. At the same time, FortisBC has requested and received approval from the Impact Assessment Agency of Canada to suspend the 180-day time limit of the Planning Phase for 30 days. This will allow additional time to ensure meaningful engagement with the public, stakeholders and Indigenous groups.

FortisBC Holdings Inc. (“FortisBC”) has filed an initial project description with regulators to begin the federal impact assessment and provincial environmental assessment processes for the Tilbury Phase 2 LNG Expansion Project (the “Project”). 

If approved, the Tilbury Phase 2 LNG Expansion Project may involve:

• Constructing a new tank that could triple the site’s storage capacity and strengthen the resiliency of our gas system
• Constructing additional liquefaction equipment to produce LNG for marine bunkering or bulk export by ship
• If approved, construction could start as early as 2022 and be complete by 2028.

FortisBC is committed to continuing engagement with Indigenous groups and the local community on the Project. As part of early engagement with the public, Indigenous Groups and other stakeholders, FortisBC will be participating in an EAO-led open house scheduled for this spring in Delta.