PRINCE RUPERT – Pembina Pipeline Corporation’s decision to proceed with development of the Prince Rupert Liquefied Petroleum Gas (LPG) Export Terminal on Watson Island is warmly welcomed by the City of Prince Rupert.
The Project will be on City-owned property located on Watson Island. The land is leased to Prince Rupert Legacy Inc., a wholly owned subsidiary of the City. Pembina confirmed Watson Island is the ideal location for the Project and has executed definitive commercial agreements with Legacy and the City.
Mayor Lee Brain welcomes the partnership with Pembina to get Watson Island back in business. The agreement shifts the Watson Island story from economic downfall and hardship to prosperity and renewal.
Brain said getting Watson Island back on the tax roll has been a key council priority. Pembina’s decision to invest in the project will give the city additional lease and tax revenue to support community services and infrastructure.
Stuart Taylor, Pembina’s Senior Vice President, NGL & Natural Gas Facilities, says the company is working with the community, stakeholders, First Nations, and governments on the project. Economic benefits of the project include 150 to 200 construction jobs, between 20 and 30 full-time permanent jobs, and revenue to the city from taxes and lease payments.
The Prince Rupert Terminal is expected to have a permitted capacity of approximately 25,000 barrels per day of Liquefied Petroleum Gas and is expected to be in service by mid-2020, subject to Pembina receiving necessary regulatory approvals. Capital cost of the project is estimated at $250-$270 million dollars. Pembina plans to commence Project site preparations immediately.
As an ideal location for intermodal trade and logistics with access to road, rail, and water, the site will be re-named as the Watson Intermodal Trade & Logistics Park.
The City of Prince Rupert held a recent open house at the North Coast Convention Centre to give residents more information about the past, present, and future of the old pulp mill site. The pulp mill closed in 2001 after declaring bankruptcy, robbing the city of its largest employer. The city acquired the property via tax sale in 2009.
