Pembina reacts to the release of British Columbia’s Natural Gas Strategy

Vancouver — Matt Horne, director of the Pembina Institute’s climate change program, made the following statement in response to the release of British Columbia’s Natural Gas Strategy:

“British Columbia’s Natural Gas Strategy promises to rely on ‘clean electricity’ at the first two of three proposed liquid natural gas (LNG) plants, which would help limit the greenhouse gas emissions associated with LNG development.

“While large industrial developments will never be controversy free, powering them with renewable energy would be a positive step towards minimizing the environmental impact.

“Beyond these two LNG facilities, however, the strategy does not dispel the concern that shale gas development and B.C.’s commitment to reduce greenhouse gas pollution could be at odds.

“The strategy discusses potential solutions such as electrification and carbon capture and storage, but those will only become a reality if they are backed by effective government policy. For example, government could significantly improve the business case for carbon capture and storage by broadening B.C.’s carbon tax to include vented emissions from natural gas processing plants.

“Until the province takes these necessary steps, this strategy will result in B.C. missing its greenhouse gas reduction targets.”

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Background:

For background on the risks shale gas development presents to B.C.’s climate action objectives, go here. Information on the risks shale gas development presents to B.C.’s water resources is available here.

For more information about the potential for renewable energy to reduce greenhouse gas emissions from new industrial developments in B.C., see the Canadian Wind Energy Association’s report.