Report - Agence canadienne d'évaluation environnementale

Opinions of participants
“a price for electrify that is in accordance with our interests and with the proper
management of the global resource” (DM286, p. 6).
However, some had doubts regarding the real capacity of such a project in
guaranteeing a decrease in natural gas prices, and believed that such an impact has
not yet been established (Ms. Caroline Mongeau, DM30, p. 6; Mr. Jean-Claude
Préfontaine, DM417, p. 6). The Conseil régional de l’environnement Chaudière-
Appalaches and the Regroupement national des conseils régionaux de
l’environnement du Québec believed that various other factors such as the price of oil,
political instability, climate events, competition from other energy sources and energy
policies also have an influence on natural gas prices (DM591, p. 16; Mr. Louis
Maccabée, DT29, p. 60).
For one participant, wanting to substitute gas for electricity, to then export the
electricity made available is in contradiction with the first goal of Québec’s energy
strategy, i.e. to reinforce the security of our energy supplies. He believed that “at a
given price, it is in our best interest to favour the energy sources which are available
on our territory” (Mr. Denis L’Homme, DM347, p. 5). One participant believed that “it
would make no sense to export our own clean and renewable energy and to import
fossil energy” (Ms. Caroline Mongeau, DM30, p. 4).
A greater place for natural gas
Natural gas was showcased by several as a clean energy source, in the sense that it
pollutes less than other fossil fuels, including coal and fuel oil 1 . Some even
emphasized its higher effectiveness in some fields, such as those of space and water
heating (Les entreprises G Pouliot ltée and Excavation Gérard Pouliot inc., DM526,
p. 3; Association québécoise du gaz naturel, DM546, p. 6; Gaz Métro, DM576, p. 5).
According to the Association of Consulting Engineers of Quebec, “it’s a matter of
using each energy source where it can be the most effective” (DM556, p. 10).
The Association québécoise du gaz naturel was of the opinion that if natural gas had
benefited from the same advantages as those given to electricity, such as low prices
implemented by government policy, it “would currently occupy a significantly greater
place in Québec’s energy balance sheet than the one it currently holds” (DM546,
p. 8). Some also believed that natural gas will be used in new sectors, specifically the
1. Groupe Giroux, DM184, p. 4; Chambre de commerce et d’industrie de L’Amiante, DM187, p. 3; Neilson inc.,
DM358, p. 2; Groupe SINTRA, DM189, p. 3; J. E. Roy Plastique inc., DM204, p. 4; Machinerie G.A.S., DM216,
p. 3; Pintendre autos inc., DM288; Bâtiments d’acier FINAR, DM323, p. 3; Mr. Marco Thompson, DM340, p. 2;
Métaltec inc., DM341, p. 3; D. Bertrand & fils, DM450, p. 3; Mr. Dominique Leclerc, DM651, p. 1; Chambre de
commerce des entrepreneurs de Québec, DM286, p. 7 and 8; Mr. Serge Côté, DM102, p. 1; Cam-Trac Bernières
inc., DM355, p. 2; Mr. Roger Fortin, DM542, p. 2.
20 Rabaska Project – Implementation of an LNG Terminal and Related Infrastructure