LNG Canada’s “Clean” Claim Unravels as Flaring Raises Health Concerns

Why It Matters

Excess flaring undermines LNG Canada’s clean‑energy branding, exposing communities to toxic pollutants and raising regulatory and financial risks for the project.

Key Takeaways

• LNG Canada flares 40‑60 times permitted volume since July 2025
• Flaring emits particulate matter, NOx, SO2, and carcinogenic benzene
• Regulator BCER provides delayed or no public notifications of flares
• Company cites back‑burn safety issue; fixes may take three years
• Environmental assessments omitted two‑year commissioning flaring, underestimating health risks

Summary

The $50 billion LNG Canada export terminal, marketed as a low‑emission, “clean” LNG project, has entered regular operations but is now flaring far beyond its permitted limits, sparking health and regulatory concerns.

Since July 2025 the plant has been flaring 40‑60 times the volume allowed in its air‑emission permit. The combustion releases particulate matter, black carbon, nitrogen oxides, sulfur dioxide and volatile organic compounds such as benzene, all linked to respiratory problems and cancer. The company attributes the excess to a “back‑burn” safety issue that could require up to three years to resolve.

Professor Laura Mané of the University of Victoria explained that flaring, while preferable to venting, still produces harmful pollutants. She cited local reports of increased asthma attacks and warned that benzene exposure may manifest as cancer years later. Her research shows that new LNG facilities worldwide typically experience elevated flaring during the first two years, a phase omitted from LNG Canada’s environmental impact assessment.

The episode highlights gaps in regulatory oversight, delayed public notifications, and inadequate monitoring of unregulated pollutants. Policymakers may need to revise impact assessments to account for commissioning‑phase emissions, while investors and communities face heightened health and liability risks.

Original Description

Note: Prof. Minet's title on the video mistakenly identifies her as Sabrina Peric, PhD. We apologize for the error.

LNG Canada was sold as a $40 billion “clean LNG” project with low emissions. But new evidence suggests the reality is very different. Since beginning operations in 2025, the facility has been flaring gas at levels 40 to 60 times higher than permitted, raising serious concerns about air quality, public health, and regulatory oversight.

In this interview, University of Victoria Clean Air Lab director Dr. Laura Mooney explains:

- Why LNG Canada is relying on gas instead of electricity

- What flaring is—and why it matters

- The potential health impacts, including exposure to carcinogens like benzene

- Why regulators may be failing on transparency

- Whether this is a short-term issue… or a long-term design flaw

This is a critical look at one of Canada’s flagship energy projects, and what it means for the country’s climate credibility and local communities.

#LNGCanada #EnergyPolicy #ClimateChange #NaturalGas #CanadaEnergy #AirQuality #BCPolitics #EnergyTransition #LNG #Environment