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Canadian Energy Research Institute
Cumulative Effects Assessment of Natural Gas Projects in British Columbia
Anna Vypovska*, Laura Johnson, Dinara Millington, Allan FogwillIAIA2017 Conference, Montreal
April 7, 2017
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Canadian Energy Research InstituteOverview
Founded in 1975, the CanadianEnergy Research Institute (CERI) is anindependent, non-profit researchInstitute specializing in the analysisof energy economics and relatedenvironmental policy issues in theenergy production, transportation,and consumption sectors.
Our mission is to provide relevant,independent, and objectiveeconomic research of energy andenvironmental issues to benefitbusiness, government, academia andthe public.
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Current Sponsors
Supporters include:
In-kind support is also provided:
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• Background and research methodology
• Cumulative adverse effects to environmental VCs
• Cumulative adverse effects to Aboriginal interests
• Key approaches and initiatives to mitigate/manage cumulative impacts
Agenda
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Source: LNG in B.C., 2016
Background: Natural Gas Production in BC
• BC is the 2nd largest natural gas producer in Canada
• > 2,900 Tcf of natural gas in place
• > 8,700 operating wells in 2014
• Rise in unconventional gas over the last 10 years
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• Since 2010, 18 major natural gas, LNG and NGL projects in BC have completed EA process
• EA applications for these projects and EA reports by regulators were reviewed for CEA
• Primary regulatory documents/policies were analyzed for cumulative effects initiatives
Research Methodology
3
10
41
Completed Federal and/or Provincial EA Process by Project Category
Natural Gas Processing Facility
Natural Gas Pipeline
LNG Facility
Natural Gas Liguids Pipeline
Source: CERI, 2016
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Cumulative Adverse Effects on Environmental VCs
• No significant cumulative adverse effects on environmental VCs for majority of the projects, if proper mitigation applied
• Significant cumulative adverse effects on Wildlife VC:
Caribou and caribou habitat (4/18 projects)
Grizzly bear (1/18 projects)
Harbour porpoise (1/18 projects)
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Significant Cumulative Effects on Caribou and Caribou Habitat
Photo Credit: Wally Gobetz via Flickr
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Significant Cumulative Effects on Caribou and Caribou Habitat (Continued)
Source: BC Ministry of Environment (MOE), 2010
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Significant Cumulative Effects on Caribou and Caribou Habitat (Continued)
Factors contributing to cumulative effects:
• Habitat loss, alteration and fragmentation
• Fragmentation of the herd
• Displacement or disruption of caribou movement
• Enhanced predator access to caribou, resulting from natural gas activities
Examples of key mitigation measures:
• Avoiding sensitive caribou habitat
• Reducing the project corridor length within caribou ranges
• Developing Caribou Habitat Restoration Plan
• Offsetting all unavoidable and residual effects
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Significant Cumulative Effects on Grizzly Bear
Photo Credit: BC Parks
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Significant Cumulative Effects on Grizzly Bear (Continued)
Source: Environmental Reporting BC and BC MOE, 2012
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Significant Cumulative Effects on Grizzly Bear (Continued)
Factors contributing to cumulative effects:
• Degradation, loss or fragmentation of habitat
• Alienating bears from suitable habitat
• Creating barriers or filters to movement
• Impacts to the reproductive potential of breeding females
Examples of key mitigation measures:
• Avoiding critical habitat for grizzly bear
• Developing a Grizzly Bear Mitigation and Monitoring Plan
• Providing funds to support conservation of grizzly bear populations
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Significant Cumulative Effects on Harbour Porpoise
Source: Fisheries and Oceans Canada, 2009
Photo Credit: National Park Service
Factors contributing to cumulative effects:• High sensitivity to acoustic
disturbance
• High degree of behavioral response
• Large industrial projects proposed in the area
Examples of key mitigation measures:
• Developing a Marine Mammal Detection Program
• Monitoring of potentially affected marine mammals
• Follow up program and post-construction monitoring
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Cumulative Adverse Effects on Aboriginal Interests
Source: Indigenous and Northern Affairs Canada, 2016
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Cumulative Adverse Effects on Aboriginal Interests (Continued)
Source: Ecotrust Canada, 2016
Example: Oil & Gas Fields on the Blueberry River FN Territory
Provincial regulator (BC EAO):• Majority of Aboriginal concerns
regarding cumulative effects were satisfactorily addressed
• No significant cumulative adverse effects will occur with the implementation of mitigation
Treaty 8 First Nations in NE BC:• Industrial development in the NE BC
results in reduced ability to exercise the Treaty rights
• Cumulative effects assessment of FNs territories, relative to their respective Aboriginal interests, should be completed
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Number of petroleum and natural gas wells (1950-2011) in the Peace Region of BC
Cumulative Adverse Effects on Aboriginal Interests (Continued)
Source: Lee and Hanneman, 2012
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Cumulative Effects Framework (BC MFLNRO, BC MOE, 2015)
• BC is one of the first provinces to develop such a framework
• Built on the Province’s existing environmental management framework
• Includes policy, procedures and decision support tools to support cumulative effects assessment and management
• Supports assessment of impacts to First Nations rights and interests
• The framework is being implemented throughout the Province
Key Approaches & Initiatives To Manage Cumulative Impacts
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Key Approaches & Initiatives To Manage Cumulative Impacts (Continued)
Source: BC Oil and Gas Commission (BC OGC), 2015
Area-Based Analysis (BC OGC 2015)
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Area-Based Analysis: What values are included?
Key Approaches & Initiatives To Manage Cumulative Impacts (Continued)
Source: BC OGC, 2014
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LNG Environmental Stewardship Initiative (BC MARR, 2014)
• A new form of collaboration between the Province, Indigenous Peoples and the LNG sector established in May 2014
• The aim is to train First Nations so they can monitor land activities linked to LNG on their traditional territory
Regional Strategic Environmental Assessment (Province of BC, 2016)
• Stems from the negotiation of Pipeline Benefits Agreements
• Involves Treaty 8 First Nations in BC, the Provincial Government and industry
• Funded by the LNG Environmental Stewardship Initiative
Key Approaches & Initiatives To Manage Cumulative Impacts (Continued)
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