Public invited to ask questions, leave comments on Gazoduq pipeline

The Impact Assessment Agency of Canada (IAAC) is asking the public to weigh in with their comments and feedback on the proposed Gazoduq pipeline.

GazoduqInc.filed its initial project description to the IAAC in October, providing additional details on the pipeline that would carry natural gas from Ramore, Ont. to Saguenay, Que.

The company's main customer would be GNL Quebec, which hopes to build a liquefaction plant and marine terminal in Saguenay to ship the natural gas to market. The combined projects are estimated at roughly $14 billion.

The IAACwill review the 37-page document outlining the proposed route, as well asconcerns the company has heard during its public consultations in Abibiti-Tmiscamingue.

"It's a very good representation of what has been accomplished," said Marie-Christine Demers, the company's senior director of public affairs and community relations.

The document showsit will have to build three compressor stations along the pipeline's proposed route to maintain pressure.

Each gas-powered turbine could release up to 165 kilotons of carbon dioxide per yearin addition to possible fugitive methane emissions.

Demers says GazoduqInc. is looking at the possibility of switching from gas to hydroelectricity to power the turbines, which wouldreduce greenhouse gas emissions.

The final application the company will submit to the federal governmentwill include more precise estimates, said Demers, including the impact of using heavy machinery during the construction phase.

"There are a lot of things that need to be clarified," said Demers.

The document is available on the IAAC's website. The agency willbe taking comments and feedback from citizens until November 12.