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Cacouna Energy Project (Archived)

Gros-Cacouna, Port de (QC)

Reasons for a Federal Assessment
Project Description
Environmental Assessment Report
Government Response to Panel
Final Decision
Follow-up Program

Reference Number

Canadian Environmental Assessment Registry: 04-07-7440

Environmental Assessment Type

Joint panel

Other Assessment Process

Government of Québec

Responsible or Regulated Authorities

Fisheries and Oceans Canada
Transport Canada

Reasons for a Federal Assessment

On October 15, 2004, it was determined that an environmental assessment was required in relation to the project because Transport Canada considered providing federal lands and considered taking action in relation to paragraph 5(1)(a) of the Navigable Waters Protection Act and because Fisheries and Oceans Canada considered taking action in relation to subsection 35(2) of the Fisheries Act.

Project Description (as posted in the Notice of Commencement)

TransCanada PipeLines Limited and Petro-Canada (the "proponents") are jointly proposing to develop and construct the Cacouna Energy Liquified Natural Gas ("LNG") import terminal at the port of Gros Cacouna, Québec, which will be operated by TransCanada PipeLines Limited. The LNG facilities include storage tanks, pumping and vaporization equipment, offices, maintenance and security buildings. A wharf for berthing and unloading of LNG carriers would extend approximately 350 m into the St. Lawrence River from the terminal site. The port of Gros-Cacouna is within the jurisdiction of Transport Canada.

Subject to detailed engineering, the current plans include the following:

· A receiving terminal consisting of a wharf with unloading arms, mooring and breasting dolphins extending approximately 350 metres into the river from the shoreline; the LNG carriers would not use the existing Gros Cacouna Harbour, because the new wharf will be built outside of breakwaters.

· Two LNG storage tanks with a capacity of approximately 160,000 cubic meters each for a total of approximately 320,000 cubic meters of LNG storage (the equivalent of approximately 6.8 Bcf of natural gas);

· Send-out facilities consisting of LNG pumps, vaporizer units to warm and convert the LNG to the gaseous phase, as well as piping and associated equipment capable of an annual average of 500 MMcf/d send-out of natural gas sufficient to heat approximately 2 million typical homes for an entire year; and

· Buildings, roads and parking areas on the terminal site.

Environmental Assessment Report

Inquiry and Public Hearing Report

Government Response to Panel

Government of Canada's Response to the Report of the Joint Review Panel on the Proposed Development of the Cacouna Energy LNG Terminal Project

Final Decision

In conformity with the approval of the Governor in Council, a decision was taken on June 22, 2007 and was that the authorities may exercise any power or perform any duty or function with respect to the project because, after taking into consideration the report of the review panel and taking into account the implementation of appropriate mitigation measures, the authorities are of the opinion that the project is not likely to cause significant adverse environmental effects.

Follow-up Program

It was determined that a follow-up program to verify the accuracy of the environmental assessment and/or determine the effectiveness of any measures taken to mitigate the adverse environmental effects is required for this project. For further information or to obtain a copy of the follow-up program, please contact Transport Canada.