TransCanada has announced that its Prince Rupert Gas Transmission (PRGT) project has signed agreements with the Takla Lake First Nation and McLeod Lake Indian Band (MLIB) in British Columbia, Canada.
With this, the total number of project agreements signed on PRGT touches 11.
The agreement has detailed the benefits as well as the commitments, which include business opportunities, employment for local communities during construction phase, along with the financial benefits as long as the project remains operational.
Under the agreement, PRGT will collaborate closely with First Nations on the pipeline route work.
TransCanada claims that the project is committed to building and maintaining long-term positive relationships with aboriginal groups.
PRGT president Tony Palmer said: "These agreements are signed after a meaningful exchange of information and ideas that not only benefit First Nations communities, but also make PRGT a stronger project."
Subject to regulatory and commercial approvals, construction and operation of a 900km natural gas pipeline is being anticipated by PRGT to deliver natural gas from a point near Hudson’s Hope to the proposed Pacific NorthWest LNG facility at Lelu Island, off the coast of Port Edward, near Prince Rupert.
The $5bn PRGT project is claimed to provide economical benefits to British Columbians, local and provincial governments, and aboriginal communities by generating business opportunities and jobs at the local community.
PRGT has also signed project agreements with Doig River, Halfway River and Yekooche First Nations, Gitanyow First Nation, Kitselas First Nation, Lake Babine Nation, Metlakatla First Nation, Blueberry River First Nation and Nisga’a Lisims government.
