Canada’s largest carbon capture project bypasses environmental review
Canada’s largest carbon capture project, proposed by Pathways Alliance, might proceed without comprehensive environmental reviews at both federal and provincial levels, sparking concerns among Indigenous groups and safety experts.
Mitch Anderson reports for DeSmog.
In short:
- Pathways Alliance’s CO2 pipeline and storage hub may bypass federal and Alberta environmental assessments, raising transparency issues.
- The project, costing $16.5 billion, involves a 600 km CO2 pipeline and could significantly impact public safety and Indigenous rights.
- Indigenous leaders and experts warn of serious legal and safety risks due to the lack of thorough oversight.
Key quote:
"The fact that they are trying not to have oversight of this should be raising serious questions."
— Richard Kuprewicz, president of Accufacts Inc.
Why this matters:
Carbon capture and storage technology, which involves capturing carbon dioxide emissions from sources like power plants and industrial processes before they enter the atmosphere and storing them underground, is gaining traction globally as a tool to combat global warming. However, the lack of environmental assessment for such a significant project threatens public safety and could violate Indigenous consultation rights, potentially leading to legal challenges.
