Carbon market - Promoting the green economy
in Quebec
Montreal, September 22, 2016 — The Rouge Intermunicipal Waste Board (RIDR) and Gaz Métro are pleased to announce their five-year agreement as part of the cap and trade system for greenhouse gas (GHG) emission allowances established by the Government of Quebec and related to the California cap-and-trade program (the "carbon market"). Under this agreement, Gaz Métro agrees to purchase all the offset credits generated by the RIDR's activities and granted by the Ministry of Sustainable Development, Environment and the Fight against Climate Change. The offset credits acquired under this agreement will allow Gaz Métro to cover a part of the GHG emissions generated by the utility and its customers, and promote innovative projects to stimulate Québec's green economy.
These offset credits result from the elimination of biogas from the Marchand engineered landfill, located in Rivière-Rouge, which receives waste from the 35 municipalities grouped under the RIDR. The RIDR started this biogas recovery project in 2009 in order to offer its citizens a healthier living environment. This initiative also made it possible
for the RIDR to reduce its GHG emissions by 94,000 tonnes, or the equivalent of taking more than 3,500 vehicles off the road.
"We're very pleased with what we've managed to do in the past few years in terms of recovering and eliminating biogas released by our landfill and in so doing, generate offset credits. Our agreement with partners such as Gaz Métro allows us to plan other projects to reduce GHG emissions and thereby offer our citizens a quality environment," stated RIDR president Gilbert Brassard.
“As part of the fight to reduce GHG emissions, Gaz Métro is first trying to reduce its own environmental footprint and encouraging its customers to reduce their consumption through energy efficiency programs. Beyond that, GHG residual emissions must be offset in a variety of ways, including offset credits. We're proud of the agreement signed with the RIDR, which supports a community's commitment to finding concrete ways to cut its GHG emissions,” explained Vincent Pouliot, Carbon Market and Energy Efficiency Manager at Gaz Métro.
Recovering more biogas
Bolstered by the results of this project, the RIDR would like to considerably increase the biogas volumes recovered and eliminated by drilling more wells in its landfills over the next five years. More specifically, the RIDR is aiming for a fourfold increase in the biogas volumes recovered from engineered landfills by adding wells and finalizing the capping of three landfill spaces.
“This project is good for everyone because it allows the RIDR to continue making investing and recovering more biogas and Gaz Métro to do its part in the fight against climate change and make a tangible contribution to generating benefits for Québec,” added Mr. Pouliot.
About Gaz Métro
With more than $7 billion in assets, Gaz Métro is a leading energy provider. It is the largest natural gas distribution company in Quebec, where its network of over 10,000 km of underground pipelines serves some 300 municipalities and more than 200,000 customers. Gaz Métro is also present in Vermont, where it has more than 310,000 customers. There, it operates in the electricity production market and the electricity and natural gas distribution market. Gaz Métro is actively involved in developing and operating innovative, promising energy projects, including natural gas as fuel, liquefied natural gas as a replacement for higher emission-producing energies, the production of wind power and the development of biomethane. Gaz Métro is a major energy sector player that takes the lead in responding to the needs of its customers, regions and municipalities, local organizations, and communities while also satisfying the expectations of its Partners (GMi and Valener) and employees.
About the RIDR
The Rouge Intermunicipal Waste Board (RIDR) is a municipal body in Rivière-Rouge representing 35 municipalities in the RCMs of Antoine-Labelle, Laurentides and Pays-d'en-Haut. Through its efforts, the Régie seeks to maximize the reduction of landfill material while respecting its customers' ability to pay. The Régie is always on the lookout for new solutions and trends to increase waste diversion using methods that comply with environmental legislation in order to ensure the well-being of future generations.
Information:
RIDR
Marc Forget
General Manager
819 275-3205, ext. 222
Gaz Metro
Maude Hébert-Chaput
Public Affairs and Communications
514 598-3449
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