Mitigation measures

An approach focused on impact mitigation


Committed to innovating and establishing a new standard of excellence, GNL Québec is determined to continually improve the Énergie Saguenay project.

Since 2015, in collaboration with the community, numerous improvements have been made to the project in order to make it a lever in the fight against greenhouse gases and air pollution and in the development and diversification of our economy. The goal is simple: reduce environmental impacts while maximizing the benefits for our region.

 

Cohabitation with the environment and tourism

Issues raised Additional commitments

Security of
boaters
  • Publish the passage times of tankers on the Émergie Saguenay website
  • Evaluate various schedules and routes according to small users
  • Ask the Corporation des Piloets du Bas Saint-Laurent to reassess the navigation route to ensure that an optimal route is used with the least impact

Tourism industry
  • Collaborate with the tourism industry to minimize the impact on their activities

Landscape
by day
  • Reorganization of the installations on the site and technological choices in order to reduce the visual impact
  • Limit deforestation on the site
  • Reforest when possible
  • Choice of colors and materials from the factory for a more harmonious integration

Ambient light at night
  • Carrying out additional visual simulations for the nighttime lighting atmosphere from the north shore of the Saguenay
  • Integration of best practices to reduce the impact of light (e.g .: directional lighting, use of motion detectors and timers, etc.)

 

Navigation and cohabitation with marine mammals

Issues raised Additional commitments

marine mammals and belugas 
  • Speed ​​reduction to 10 knots
  • Conducting a study with the Corporation des Pilotes du Bas Saint-Laurent to assess the minimum speed at which a typical tanker can travel in the Saguenay and its mouth
  • Optimization of ship design to reduce the noise footprint: propellers, hull and sound insulation
  • Participation in research projects including the establishment of operational protocols to minimize underwater noise
  • Consolidation of data submitted to expert organizations (noise monitoring, observation report)
  • Participation in the Scientific Committee on Navigation set up by the Government of Quebec in September 2019
  • Drafting of an official document bringing together the commitments made by GNL Québec 

 

Jobs, workforce and economic benefits

Issues raised Additional commitments

Jobs and worforce
  • Consultation with regional teaching tables in order to develop with them the niches and teaching programs necessary for the realization of the project
Economic benefits 
  • Collaboration agreement with the Committee for the maximization of regional economic benefits (CMAX)
  • Collaboration with regional companies and institutes

 

Security

Issues raised Additional commitments

Safety of land installations and maritime transport
  • Voluntary participation in the TERMPOL review process. This process notably assesses the safety of vessel activities in shipping lanes.
  • Joining the Green Marine certification to promote good maritime practices

 

Fight against GHG emissions 

Issues raised Additional commitments

Greenhouse gas emissions
  • A comparative life cycle analysis was carried out following a suggestion from the Advisory Committee for the natural gas liquefaction plant which shows, according to sales scenarios, a withdrawal of 28 million tonnes of GHGs worldwide. every year thanks to the LNG produced in Saguenay
  • Commitment to the plant's carbon neutrality by means identified by the experts of the UQAC Eco-Consulting Chair
  • Use of compressors powered by hydroelectricity which reduces GHGs by 84% compared to a conventional plant
  • Partnerships with regional projects to reduce GHGs
  • Active participation in research programs to reduce GHG emissions