The LNG Quebec megaproject, which involves the construction of a gas pipeline transporting natural gas from Western Canada to a liquefaction plant in the Saguenay, could increase global greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions and aggravate the shortage of gas -work, raise 40 economists and researchers in economics who evaluated the impacts of the private project.
AUDREY RUEL-MANSEAU
The Press
In an open letter published this morning, 40 signatories analyzed the economic impacts of the LNG Quebec project, in a context where climate change threatens economic stability. In an "independent, rigorous and good faith" way, the group analyzed the economic roots of the project, which includes a 750 km gas pipeline (Gazoduq component), a liquefaction plant and a port park located in Saguenay (Energy shutters). Saguenay).
"We are not a priori against this project, but we would like to see projects appear more consistent and convergent with the state of climate emergency in which we are (…). We must create wealth, but (in a way) that is completely in keeping with the new reality with which we juggle, "explained one of the group's promoters, Jerôme Dupras, a professor at the Universite du Quebec en Outaouais and holder of the Canada Research Chair in Ecological Economics.
The promoter LNG Quebec ensures that its project is good for the environment because it will offer a transition energy that will replace other more polluting energies, such as coal and oil. However, experts see this as an outdated analysis.
It's not coal versus gas. It is made charcoal against renewable. And gas is the dog in the bowling game, according to us. Ten years ago, this was not the case. (…) But today, what replaces coal is: wind, solar and natural gas.
Éric Pineault, co-signer and professor at the Institute of Environmental Sciences, Universite du Quebec a Montreal
The 40 experts observe that the economic trend for liquefied natural gas (LNG) is not encouraging: demand is decreasing, there is little increase expected for the European market where LNG is mainly intended and finally the supply will be growing because of about 50 similar projects in North America.
"If we look at the trends, those of the OECD (Organization for Economic Co-operation and Development), the World Bank, the Bank of Canada, the International Energy Agency, absolutely nothing points to a transition that will take this form. (…) So, we do not know how much this industry will be fertile and for how long. (…) So we say: "Why try such projects and not take a step back?" ", Says Mr. Dupras, who fears that the project ends in white elephant.
Not to mention that the complex will be powered by hydropower and that the company will be entitled to a preferential rate. Another element that raises the eyebrows experts.
"We have clean energy and we use it to facilitate the transformation and production of energy that releases GHGs. Is this the best use we can make of our own kilowatts? "Asks Mr. Pineault.
Finally, economists doubt economic spinoffs. First, in a context of labor shortages, they estimate that the thousands of jobs promised will only worsen the situation: "Rio Tinto and Resolute Forest Products are already fighting for quality employees and a third player will arrive. It will be essentially mobile labor coming from Western Canada, "says Pineault. Second, they argue that the company is a Delaware-registered limited partnership, a "profit siphon, tax haven," suggesting "little benefit to the company's profits".
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