Trigon Pacific Terminals is forging ahead with expansion plans despite the opposition of the Prince Rupert Port Authority (PRPA).
The company announced on Jan. 10 that it has completed the project description for its prospective liquid petroleum gas (LPG) export project.
The Prince Rupert-based coal export terminal said this development is a key milestone in its ambitions to expand into the LPG export business.
According to Trigon, the project description outlines the cost and environmental impact of the project they are hoping will begin operations by late 2027. The company is made up of a four-way ownership of American investment companies Riverstone Holdings LLC and ACMI Group, along with North Coast First Nations Lax Kw鈥檃laams Band and Metlakatla.
Trigon announced its plans to expand into the increasingly popular LPG export industry on Nov. 18 as the company aims to diversify its exports before a 2030 federal ban on thermal coal exports comes into play. According to Trigon, the planned export facility would have 98,000 cubic metres of LPG storage capacity.
鈥淭he Trigon LPG project is about opening up Canada鈥檚 northwestern export trade corridor, and providing jobs and economic opportunity for a region that is often left behind,鈥� said Rob Booker, CEO of Trigon.
鈥淲ithout investments like ours, opportunity will continue to migrate elsewhere 鈥� which is particularly concerning given the upcoming ban on thermal coal exports that make up such of big part of exports handled through Prince Rupert today.鈥�
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The PRPA, Trigon鈥檚 landlord, has continued to contest Trigon鈥檚 plans to expand into LPG since the Nov. 18 announcement. The port claims it has given exclusive rights to Royal Vopak and AltaGas, who are in the process of completing their own LPG export facility, the Ridley Island Energy Export Facility (REEF) Project on lands leased from the PRPA.
Booker has repeatedly disputed the PRPA鈥檚 claims, suggesting Trigon鈥檚 land lease allows the company to create their desired LPG export facility. Trigon filed suit against the PRPA in early December over its opposition to the project.
鈥淭rigon continues to pursue legal action to enforce its lease rights to handle additional Canadian commodities, and is continuing to advance project planning in light of its confidence that this action will be resolved in its favour,鈥� read a Trigon press release on the company鈥檚 finalized project description.
The PRPA confirmed that it had received Trigon鈥檚 project description, though maintains its opposition to the project.
鈥淭he Prince Rupert Port Authority (PRPA) can confirm that Trigon Pacific Terminals Ltd. has submitted a Project Description to us. PRPA is mandated through the Canada Marine Act to manage the federal crown land within its defined jurisdiction, including all properties on Ridley Island, and has the responsibility to provide consent for specific cargoes being moved through or stored on any of its properties,鈥� read a statement from PRPA to The Northern View.
鈥淧RPA has not given Trigon consent to expand its permitted uses beyond its current portfolio outlined in its lease with PRPA.鈥�
