Mcleod Lake Indian Band and Lheidli T’enneh First Nations announced they are reaffirming the commitment to develop facilities for the processing and upgrading of natural gas liquids.
Lheidli T’enneh Chief Dolleen Logan confirmed she will continue to work with Mcleod Lake in developing an industrial park north of Prince George and both nations will also maintain their commitment to work with Formula Group of Companies’ to build a liquids recovery facility.
According to Forumla Group of Companies’ CEO Paul Tiefensee, the liquids recovery facility could cost anywhere from $1-2 billion.
While there are still a lot of unknowns about the project, Tiefensee says there will be more updates in the near future.
“We’re trying to find the investment from within our company and donation as far as what we can find for support, then we also have to find people who will let us use their gas to take the liquids out and sell the liquids, so we also need an extraction partner and we need a buyer.”
Tiefensee adds the largest benefit to both nations is the development both projects will bring to the industrial sector, creating both industrial and construction jobs at the NGL facility and industrial park.
“Depending on who they have for tenants, this could have the gravity to develop roads, paths, and other spaces for people,” he noted.
Mcleod Lake Indian Band Youth Councillor Jayde Duranleau says projects like this foreshadow a great future for First Nations communities in Northern BC.
“I think it demonstrates a really good path forward for our First Nations, partnering with a lot of major projects shows that moving forward major projects should be partnering with First Nations and First Nations should have that equity stake,” stated Duranleau.
Lheidli T’enneh Chief Dolleen Logan says the community has been working with the Mcleod Lake Indian Band on this project since June 2020.
“I am confirming today Lheidli’s continuing support for this partnership that now involves Formula, I look forward to the positive progress being made as the project moves forward,” she added.
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