Shale gas development in Quebec: Analyzing Environmental risks and the use of
Strategic Environmental Assessment to inform decision *
Abstract
On March 8, 2011, the investigative report on the development of shale gas in
the province of Quebec was released to the public. The report was commissioned
by the government of Quebec during the fall of 2010 following a strong social
opposition voicing concerns about the potential environmental risks associated
with a large scale development of shale gas in the province. The report which
raised even more questions than it could provide answers, finally called for a
Strategic Environmental Assessment (SEA) to be carried out. However, since the
inception of the SEA Committee, many from environmental groups and opposition
leaders have denounced the SEA process for its lack of transparency and
credibility. This paper analyzes the main environmental issues related to shale
gas development, discuss the implementation of an SEA for the Shale gas
development program in Quebec and how it would effectively inform and
influence the decision making process. Read more
*: Communication
presented in Montreal, XVII Colloque International 12-15 Juin
2012; Secrétariat international francophone pour l'évaluation
environnementale (SIFÉE)
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The Chad-Cameroon petroleum pipeline project: A
Critical review
of the Draft Environmental Assessment report*
Abstract
The
Chad-Cameroon Petroleum Development and Pipeline Project had been considered to
be the single largest private sector investment in Sub-Saharan Africa. Estimated
initially to cost about US$3.7 billion, it involves the drilling of 300 oil
wells in the oil fields of the Chad Doba region and the construction of 1,100
km long export pipeline to an offshore loading facility in Cameroon (IEG,
2009). The Pipeline Project was classified by the World bank as a Category A
project. Consequently, in accordance with the Bank safeguard and sustainability
policies, it was subject to undergo a full environmental impact assessment. A
Draft Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) was prepared and made publicly available in October 1997 and an Environmental Management Plan (EMP) finalized in June 1999. This paper provides a critical analysis of the EIA
report. First, it explores the key environmental issues related to oil
exploration and production. Second, it reviews the EIA regulatory framework
under the Bank policy and the state of Chad legislation. Third, it discusses
the strengths and weaknesses of the methodology with regard to different
components of a standard EIA process and the overall quality of the
assessment. Read more
*: Research paper: McGill Univerisity (Montreal), 2011
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Environmental Conflict: A Critical Look at Big Oil
Corporations
practices in the Niger Delta *
Abstract
The
environmental stewardship movement in United States in the mid-sixties
culminated with the establishment in 1969 of the National Environmental
Protection Act (NEPA). Following NEPA many countries around the world developed
their own legislations with the main goal of sustaining the natural
environment. However, environmental conflicts have continued to arise due
essentially to a deficit of trust between local communities and industrials and
governments. In many parts of Sub-Saharan Africa, environmental conflicts have emerged for
decades as a result of the little consideration often given to local
communities in the attribution of wealth generated from natural resources
exploitation. This paper discusses the on-going environmental conflict in the
Niger Delta (Western Africa), analyze the responses to the conflict and reflect
on how some EIA provisions could prevent conflict and tensions among
stakeholders. Read more
*: Research paper: McGill Univerisity (Montreal), 2011
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An effective way for Stakeholders' Management *
Abstract
Until recently, most decisions about energy projects have been based solely on
cost, resource availability and productivity. Now, with environmental
concerns becoming increasingly important, energy projects, specifically those
related to oil and gas operations are often associated with a variety of
adverse environmental impacts. Environmental concerns generally trigger a
strong opposition to energy projects that often result in lost time, additional
cost, and lower performance for the projects. Adopting CSR can help corporate
meet stakeholders’ obligations. However, its proper implementation has appeared in many occasions to be quite challenging. This paper analyzes the growing trend of CSR adoption as a
corporate business strategy and its ability to be an effective tool in managing stakeholders in the management of energy projects. Read more
*: Research paper: McGill Univerisity (Montreal), 2011
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Assessing the impact of the Highway 25 expansion project
on air quality
in Montreal using AcrGIS*
Abstract
The aim of this paper is to assess local air pollution implications of
the Highway 25 expansion project in Montreal. The basic concept of the roadway
air dispersion model consists in calculating air pollutant levels in the
vicinity of a highway by considering it as a line source. To fulfill this
assessment, GIS software was used in order to determine pollutant distribution
around the study area based on data collected by existing air monitoring
stations located in the city of Montreal. GIS interpolation methods, notably
Kriging and Inverse Distance Weighted was used to generate maps of pollutant
concentrations across the study area. From the results, recommendations will be
made in regards to the project and appropriate mitigatory alternatives
suggested.
Key words: GIS for EIA, traffic pollution, air quality
*: Diene, M; Chiaburu, M; Dulgheru, M; Kendrick B. 2010
Published in Geographia Napocensis, Anul IV, nr.1
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Strategie de
Developpement durable du Quebec 2008-2013:
Quel Systeme d'indicateurs de
developpement durable pour le Quebec?*
Abstract
Apres avoir publié sa Stratégie de développement durable pour la période 2008-2013, le Gouvernement du Québec sous la direction du parti liberal s’est alors engagé à definir une première série d’indicateurs de développement durable afin de pouvoir mesurer ses progres en matiere de durabilité. Toutefois, les multiples expériences entreprises au plan international afin d’etablir un système d'indicateurs de developpement durable mettent en évidence la difficulté à s’accorder sur un mécanisme d’évaluation qui offrirait une mesure adéquate et concensuelle de la performance dans la recherche d’un développement durable. Cette situation est attribuable au concept du développement durable qui fait l’objet de diverses interprétations mais aussi relève de la complexité à définir des indicateurs qui tiennent compte à la fois du social, de l’économie et de l’environnement et de leurs interrelations. Néanmoins quelques modèles conceptuels de la durabilite ont été concus par diverses organisations dans le but de faciliter l’elaboration de systèmes d’indicateurs de developpement durable. Cet article passe en revue ces modèles conceptuels, analyse leurs avantages et limites et discute des déterminants d’un système d’indicateurs de développement durable pour le Québec. Lire plus
*: Research paper:
Concordia Univerisity (Montreal), 2007
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Abstract
Since the early
seventies, the Government of Quebec has adopted regulations and guidelines
whose main purpose was to ensure that developmental activities would be
conducted with no significant adverse effects to the environment. More
recently, in its new energy strategy, the provincial Government has renewed its
support for the development of the wind energy sector (MRNF, 2006). However,
despite claims made by its advocates to be a clean source of energy, it appears
that wind energy may also be associated to some extent with a few environmental issues. As a
result, large wind energy projects are required in Quebec to undergo an
Environment Impact Assessment (EIA). First, this paper examines the current EIA
practice in Quebec with respect to wind power projects. Second, it highlights
some deficiencies that can be corrected across the application of the EIA
process. Third it explores a way forward that could make the wind energy
program an effective lever towards a more sustainable development. Read more
*: Research paper: Concordia Univerisity (Montreal), 2007
A case study application of LEAP software *
In Senegal, energy security has been a constant challenge for all successive governments. The country economic growth is mainly jeopardized by its weak energy sector, with non actionable oil and gas proven resources. In 1998, the government announced an objective of 30% rural electrification by 2015 from the 8% baseline. Despite the ongoing political discourse to bring an end to the energy supply issue, the lack of planning and analytical tools, along with reliable data and information system constitute a major drawback in designing efficient energy policies and strategies. Using a long-range advanced planning tool, such as LEAP, this paper presents various alternative scenarios of energy development in Senegal as well as the environmental effects, and their estimated costs. The findings could be used to foster policy planning, redefine the energy sector priorities, design and implement more sustainable energy strategies. Read more
*: Research paper: University of California Davis, 2005
Cette étude est une réflexion stratégique sur la filière des énergies domestiques menée en collaboration avec les experts locaux de quelques pays d’Afrique de l’Ouest dans le cadre du Programme RPTES/ Banque Mondiale. Son objectif est d’élaborer à travers une vision concertée un document de politique régionale dont la mise en œuvre pourrait améliorer de manière significative la fourniture de combustibles domestiques de qualité à un coût abordable sans pour autant compromettre l’environnement. Elle passe en revue les politiques energetiques met en évidence le paradoxe en matière d’investissement existant entre le secteur des énergies traditionnelles et celui des énergies dites modernes, préconise la mise d’un système d’information énergétique fiable et une transition rapide vers les énergies domestiques modernes. Read more
*: Project paper: Senegal Dept of Energy/ RPTES, 2004
Ce rapport s’inscrit dans le prolongement des audits énergétiques réalisés entre 1986 et 1991 au Sénégal dans le secteur industriel par le Bureau de Consultance Canadien ADS. Dix entreprises auditées, présentaient un gisement d’économies d’énergie de 1 426 tep, pour un investissement total de 1 218 105 KFCFA. L’économie monétaire correspondante pour chaque industrie varie de 1 407 à 185 395 KFCFA pour des périodes de recouvrement allant de 4 mois à 11ans. Ces entreprises utilisaient comme sources d’énergie, essentiellement du fuel 1500, du diesel, du gasoil, du gaz butane et de l’électricité. Sur un total de 61 mesures d’économies d’énergie préconisées, 42 ont été réalisées ou étaient en cours de réalisation. Ce rapport d’étude présente d’une part le niveau de réalisation des mesures d’économie d’énergie préconisées par ADS, ainsi que les modalités de mise en œuvre, et d’autre part les perspectives de mise en place d’une politique durable d’efficacité énergétique au Sénégal. Read more
*: Rapport d'etude: Direction de l'energie/ Bureau des economies d'energie, 2001