Close X
Sunday, January 12, 2025
ADVT 
National

B.C.'s LNG Emissions Law Greenest, Cleanest In The World: Environment Minister

The Canadian Press , 20 Oct, 2014 04:01 PM
    VICTORIA - Environment Minister Mary Polak says new legislation governing greenhouse gas emissions from liquefied natural gas plants sets pollution benchmarks that will establish the British Columbia industry as the cleanest in the world.
     
    Polak tabled the Greenhouse Gas Industrial Reporting and Control Act Monday, saying B.C.'s emission benchmarks will be lower than any other LNG facility in the world.
     
    She said the legislation will permit companies to purchase greenhouse gas offsets and contribute to a technology fund to reach the benchmark.
     
    Environmental groups have raised concerns about increased GHG emissions associated with extracting and burning natural gas.
     
    Many have suggested permitting LNG plants to run with natural gas will blow the province's legislated greenhouse gas reduction targets, which call for emission reductions of one-third within the next six years.
     
    The new law does not alter the government's GHG emissions reduction targets, said a statement released by the Ministry of Environment.
     
    LNG facilities with emissions below the set benchmark will receive credits they can sell, while operations that don't meet the limit may be fined, said the ministry statement.
     
    The GHG intensity benchmark set by the B.C. government is below pollution limits established by LNG plants in Australia, Norway and the United States.
     
    The B.C. limit set is .16 tonnes of carbon dioxide for each tonne of LNG produced. It includes all GHG emissions from the point where gas enters a facility to when it is loaded onto a ship or rail car.
     
    "The .16 benchmark sets a new, recognized global standard for LNG facilities," said an Environment Ministry statement. "Through independent studies and government analysis, it was determined that leading global facilities had emissions intensities between 0.18 and 0.27 tonnes of (carbon dioxide) per tonne of LNG produced."
     
    Investments in offsets and the technology fund will be used to cut GHG emissions in the natural gas and other sectors of B.C. economy, said the ministry. GHG emission reduction technologies include, low-or-no-venting equipment, electrification, cogeneration, waste heat recovery, natural gas vehicles and examining carbon capture and storage.
     
    Premier Christy Clark calls the proposed LNG industry a worldwide pollution fighter because it will replace dirty coal with cleaner-burning natural gas in Asian countries, especially China.
     
    Finance Minister Mike de Jong will introduce legislation Tuesday that outlines the government's plans to tax the LNG industry.

    MORE National ARTICLES

    Shooting In Burnaby Leaves One Man Dead

    Shooting In Burnaby Leaves One Man Dead
    BURNABY, B.C. - Burnaby RCMP say a man is dead after a shooting at around 10 p.m. Wednesday.

    Shooting In Burnaby Leaves One Man Dead

    Injured Hiker Rescued From West Coast Trail By Canadian Air Force

    Injured Hiker Rescued From West Coast Trail By Canadian Air Force
    PORT RENFREW, B.C. - A hiker who suffered an injury while traversing the West Coast Trail on Vancouver Island is recovering after being rescued by the Canadian air force.

    Injured Hiker Rescued From West Coast Trail By Canadian Air Force

    B.C. Man Who Tried To Sell Stolen Boat To Mounties Avoids Jail Sentence

    B.C. Man Who Tried To Sell Stolen Boat To Mounties Avoids Jail Sentence
    KAMLOOPS, B.C. - A man convicted of trying to peddle a stolen ski boat to undercover Mounties won’t go to jail — despite a lengthy criminal record that includes similar offences.

    B.C. Man Who Tried To Sell Stolen Boat To Mounties Avoids Jail Sentence

    Tumbler Ridge, B.C., receives Geopark status

    Tumbler Ridge, B.C., receives Geopark status
    TUMBLER RIDGE, B.C. - The District of Tumbler Ridge in northeastern British Columbia has become North America’s second UNESCO Geopark.

    Tumbler Ridge, B.C., receives Geopark status

    Canadian researcher Stephen Scherer among those predicted to win Nobel Prize

    Canadian researcher Stephen Scherer among those predicted to win Nobel Prize
    TORONTO - A Canadian researcher is being touted as a potential Nobel Prize winner by an organization that predicts which scientists are most likely to take home one of the coveted awards.

    Canadian researcher Stephen Scherer among those predicted to win Nobel Prize

    Paradis says more must be done to fight Ebola; Cda contributes another $30M

    Paradis says more must be done to fight Ebola; Cda contributes another $30M
    UNITED NATIONS, N.Y. - Canada is contributing another $30 million to the fight against the Ebola outbreak in Africa.

    Paradis says more must be done to fight Ebola; Cda contributes another $30M