Report - Agence canadienne d'évaluation environnementale

Impacts on the inhabited area and human activities
In the impact statement, a first modelling predicted a maximum value of 774 µg/m³ of
SO2 based on running diesel generators containing 2% sulphur. Such a level of SO2
corresponds to a level that would exceed by two or three times the proposed PRAA
standard of 276 µg/m³. In order to respect the hourly standard at all times, the
proponent, at the request of the MDDEP, carried out a second simulation based on a
maximum sulphur content of 0.5% in the diesel fuel. This would allow reduction of the
project’s maximum contribution to an addition of 168 µg/m³ of SO2 into the ambient air
of the Ville-Guay sector to reach 275 µg/m³, or only 1 µg/m³ under the standard
proposed by the PRAA.
♦ Finding — The Panel notes that diesel fuel containing 0.5% sulphur, the use of
which is planned for the LNG tankers’ auxiliary generators, would be an added
source of sulphur dioxide (SO2) emissions in the Ville-Guay residential
neighbourhood. As an effect, the predicted maximum concentration for the area
overlooking the terminal jetty would only be 1 µg/m³ under the hourly standard of
276 µg/m³ outlined in the Draft Air Quality Regulation.
Therefore, the proponent is of the view that diesel fuel containing a maximum sulphur
content of 0.5% wt would allow the PRAA hourly standard to be met at all times. The
proponent committed to powering LNG tanker auxiliary generators with fuel containing a
maximum of 0.5% sulphur. To achieve this, the proponent made sure that the LNG
tankers would be supplied with diesel fuel containing 0.5% sulphur and plans to submit
a follow-up program for SO2 in the ambient air to be applied prior to and during the first
few years of operations. In Health Canada’s view this must be a condition of operation
for the project (DB104, p. 10).
The panel notes that diesel fuel with ten times less sulphur (0.05% wt), which is
generally used to fuel the motors vehicles is available on the market. 1 For the Panel,
the use of low-sulphur diesel fuel would result in a significant reduction of SO2
emissions. Given the narrow difference between the expected maximum
concentration of SO2 and the hourly standard, it is important in the Panel’s view for the
proponent to supply the LNG tankers with diesel fuel with sulphur content that
guarantees that regulations are met when the proposed terminal is in operation.
♦ Recommendation 10 — If the project is authorized, the Panel recommends that the
proponent take the steps necessary to ensure that sulphur dioxide emissions from
the project meet the standards applicable in Quebec, especially in the part of Ville-
Guay that overlooks the jetty. This should include the use of diesel fuel containing
the lowest amount of sulphur.
1. Petro-Canada [On-line (March 29, 2007): http://retail.petro-canada.ca/en/independent/2060.aspx].
192 Rabaska Project – Implementation of an LNG Terminal and Related Infrastructure