These assessments will identify potential environmental impacts on plants, wildlife and wetlands, and recommend suitable mitigation measures. Sensitive areas are to be avoided and if avoidance is not possible, appropriately mitigated measures will be recommended.
A final survey of the implementation of all mitigation measures indicated in the impact assessments will be conducted.
Cathy Baptista, Environment Director, takes us to a wetland south of Lac-Saint-Jean to explain the various inventories that were rigorously carried out in the summer of 2019.
The proposed Project will provide the necessary link between surplus natural gas supplies in western Canada to various potential markets and particularly, to the LNG Facility’s export markets (e.g., Asia, Europe).
It is anticipated that by bringing long-term access to competitively priced Canadian natural gas to these areas, this would favour the replacement of more polluting sources of energy (i.e., coal, fuel oil, and diesel). The Project would hence have a beneficial global impact on air quality, smog, acid rain, and climate change by contributing to a global reduction of:
- greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions,
- sulphur dioxide (SO2),
- nitrogen oxides (NOx),
- particulate matter (PM).
According to the Canadian government, use of natural gas results in fewer GHG emissions and pollutants that contribute to smog and acid rain than coal.
The Project is designed to be consistent with provincial, Canadian, and international energy and climate policies, as it is anticipated favouring an energy transition towards natural gas from more polluting sources of energy (i.e., coal, fuel oil, and diesel) currently used in certain local and foreign markets.
The protection of plants and wildlife is a forefront issue considered in defining the natural gas line corridor during the study phase and at each stage of the project.Gazoduq will produce an in-depth impact study that will be published on its website and the company will comply with all regulatory requirements related to the environment.
This commitment is valid until the end of the natural gas line’s life cycle, at which time a complete rehabilitation plan will be prepared.
Lighter than air, natural gas rises and then quickly disperses into the atmosphere without leaving a trace. Natural gas is insoluble. An underwater leak will cause bubbles to form that will rise quickly to the surface and then dissipate into the air.