Report - Agence canadienne d'évaluation environnementale

Opinions of participants
reached, the GHG reductions promised by the proponent would not occur, and the
project would then become a climate threat (DM612, p. 14 and 16).
One participant, however, deemed it irresponsible to oppose this type of project
because of the Kyoto Protocol: “a so-called responsible approach would require us to
implement concrete measures, together with the oil and gas industries, in order to
reduce GHG emissions (Mr. Dominique Hotte, DM71, p. 2). One of these measures,
in his opinion, would consist in accelerating the application of industrial CO2 capture
and storage technologies. In the opinion of another participant, “CO2 capture
technologies are always improving. Therefore, there is a possibility that, before long,
CO2 could be captured as soon as it is emitted from the liquefied natural gas
regasification process (Mr. Gilles Leclerc, DM103, p. 3). Several participants 1 placed
their trust in this new technology and believe that Rabaska should pursue this
approach. A company that is specialized in this field emphasized the following:
We believe that we need every type of energy, according to a given environment,
available sources and usage functions. Regardless of the energy source used
and the quantity of CO2 emitted, one must think in terms of sustainability. We
therefore believe that realizing a project as major as Rabaska should be an
opportunity to propel research and development in order to improve the
technology linked to its product.
(CO2 Solution Inc., DM118, p. 4)
Regarding the discontinuation of more polluting fuels in favour of natural gas, the
Conseil régional de l’environnement Chaudière-Appalaches believed that incentives
should be created and the AQLPA recommended that a program be implemented
(DM591, p. 21; DM592.1, p. 33). In the AQLPA’s view, “in the absence of a structured
program that is part of a global GHG emissions reduction strategy, using more natural
gas in no way ensures the lowering of emissions which give rise to climate
disruptions” (ibid.).
Other participants are less optimistic regarding GHG emissions reduction measures.
For the Association de l’île d’Orléans contre le port méthanier, “no approach exists,
short of scrapping economic growth. At best, technological solutions can only push
deadlines back, nothing more” (DM525, p. 3). According to another participant, natural
gas consumption should completely disappear from Québec’s energy consumption
approach, in order to remain consistent in its intention to reduce greenhouse gases:
“shouting from the rooftops is no longer sufficient; we must now act. Holes in the
ozone layer and climate change are telling us quite clearly that the clock is ticking
against us” (Ms. Caroline Mongeau, DM30, p. 3).
1. Mr. Martin Michaud, DM106, p. 1 and 2; Mouvement populaire À bon port, DM547, p. 11; Mr. Émile Leblond,
DM173, p. 3; Mr. Gérald Dionne, DM225, p. 3; Mr. Yves Laberge, DM332, p. 2; Mr. Gilles Guay, DM257, p. 3.
24 Rabaska Project – Implementation of an LNG Terminal and Related Infrastructure