By Roy L Hales
The Canadian Environmental Assessment Agency’s (CEAA) draft report on Petrona’s proposed Lelu island terminal, at the mouth of BC’s Skeena river, states that, ” … if the Project were to proceed, it would be amongst the largest single point sources of greenhouse gas emissions in the country.” Lelu Island will more than double Canada’s LNG emissions.
Lelu Island Will More Than Double Canada’s LNG Emissions
This announcement coincided with the B.C. government’s admission that the province’s industrial increased 2.1% in 2014. According to their press release, this rise “can be attributed to emissions in oil and gas production due to economic growth.”
The Lelu Island facility is expected to add another 5.28 million tonnes CO2e per year.
This does not appear to phase Premier Christy Clark’s government, which has been more apologetic about the fact none of their 20 proposed LNG projects have become a reality.
Everything To Attract Investment
In the throne speech, read by Lt.-Gov. Judith Guichon Tuesday, the government blamed “unforeseen global conditions” and said it has “done everything it set out to do to attract investment for the cleanest LNG in the world.”
Completely Out Of Line
Peter McCartney, of the Wilderness Committee,“ says Clark’s LNG policies will increase British Columbia’s emissions by 18% and are “completely out of line with the goals set out in the Paris climate agreement late last year.”
In the report it says, “The proponent (i.e. Petronas) concluded that the Project would increase greenhouse gas emissions for the Province of B.C. by 8.5 percent and for Canada by 0.75 percent. Globally, the Project would increase greenhouse gas emissions by 0.015 percent … With the Government of Canada’s recent commitments to climate change, the information in the proponent’s analysis no longer completely reflects the Canadian context. The Government of Canada has made climate change a key priority, committing to reduce greenhouse emissions to approximately 200 million tonnes below current levels by 2030.”
5.5 Deaths a Year
A new report from the University of British Columbia found that air pollution is already causing more than 5.5 million deaths every year and the number will rise as emissions increase.
“Air pollution is the fourth highest risk factor for death globally and by far the leading environmental risk factor for disease. Reducing air pollution is an incredibly efficient way to improve the health of a population.“, said Michael Brauer, professor at the University of British Columbia’s School of Population and Public Health in Vancouver.
Meanwhile, a costly provincial election is looming and Clark’s government will once again be expecting hefty corporate donations to fill their campaign chest.
Photo of Lelu Island Courtesy Skeena Watershed Conservation Coalition