Report - Agence canadienne d'évaluation environnementale

Project energy context
other fuels such as fuel oil and heavy oils. The Panel is also of the view that, even if
the project were to result in a reduction in natural gas prices, such an effect would
remain subject to the economic, climatic, and political contingencies that result in
price fluctuations for hydrocarbons on the world and continental markets. The Panel
cannot thus exclude the possibility that the advantage the project would represent in
terms of price could be cancelled in favour of other fuels less environmentally
advantageous. Moreover, Quebec’s 2006-2012 Climate Change Action Plan calls for
the application of emission charges on fossil fuel based on their carbon content. Such
charges would represent an economic instrument which would ensure a price
advantage in favour of natural gas on the Quebec market.
♦ Finding — The Panel found a positive potential that can be attributed to the project
in terms of natural gas substitution of high carbon fuels among industrial customers
in Quebec, and takes note of gains this substitution could represent in terms of
Quebec’s carbon dioxide emissions balance.
♦ Opinion 3 — The Panel is of the opinion that the system of emission charges set
forth in Quebec’s Climate Change Action Plan 2006-2012 would ensure the potential
advantages of substituting high carbon content fuels with natural gas.
84 Rabaska Project – Implementation of an LNG Terminal and Related Infrastructure