COMMENTS OF THE CANADIAN GAS ASSOCIATION ON THE QUADRENNIAL ENERGY REVIEW SECOND INSTALLMENT (QER 1.2)

In April, 2015, the Department of Energy (DOE) released the Quadrennial Energy Review (QER). The QER recognized that the energy relationship between the U.S. and Canada is highly intertwined, and noted opportunities to collaborate on initiatives to promote clean energy and environmental responsibility. DOE stated that the development of the QER provided an opportunity to engage Canada “in a deeper dialogue on the integrated nature of North American energy systems – including transmission, storage, and distribution infrastructure.” Among the recommendations included in the QER to further enhance North American energy integration was integration of energy data between the U.S. and Canada, undertaking comparative and joint energy system modeling, planning and forecasting between the U.S. and Canada, and establishing collaborative programs to harmonize regulations across the border.

Read more about comments of the Canadian Gas Association on the Quadrennial Energy Review second installment(QER 1.2)

Economic and GHG Emissions Benefits of LNG for Remote Markets in Canada

Approximately 200,000 people live in nearly 300 remote communities spread across Canada that are disconnected from central energy supplies. These remote energy markets are ‘off-grid’ regions of Canada that are not connected to the North American electrical grid or to natural gas distribution pipelines. In these remote regions, reliable and cost-effective energy supply are a challenge for communities and industry, and serve as a barrier to economic development. Remote communities and industry typically rely on diesel, propane, or other fuel oils for heating and to generate their own power, all of which have to be shipped in by truck, rail, or marine vessel.

In many remote regions of Canada, liquefied natural gas (LNG) is increasingly being considered as an option to meet energy requirements. Advances in the technology used to liquefy, transport, and re-vaporize natural gas, have made LNG a viable option for remote customers. ICF worked with the CGA and Canadian natural gas distribution utilities to define the scope of expansions and type of customers that would be reached.

Click here to read the Executive Summary or to read the Full Report 

Renewable Natural Gas: Affordable Renewable Fuel for Canada

As governments – both provincial and federal – discuss lower GHG emissions pathways, renewable natural gas (RNG or biomethane) presents a significant and largely untapped opportunity for GHG emission-free energy for our country. Using RNG means putting renewable energy directly in an existing pipeline: showing how pipes can deliver the benefits of renewables as efficiently (and often more cost-effectively) than electric wires.

This publication outlines the potential for RNG in Canada including its role in the reduction of GHG emissions, its value as an affordable renewable energy option for natural gas markets, and the role natural gas utilities can play in delivering this clean renewable product to Canadians.

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Mission Innovation: The Canadian Natural Gas Innovation Potential

For over 100 years, Canada’s natural gas distribution utilities have delivered safe, reliable, clean and affordable natural gas to millions of consumers across Canada. This long-standing strong customer relationship has been enhanced and supported by collaborative efforts to bring to market innovative natural gas appliances and equipment. These innovative products – whether a condensing furnace or transportation engines that burn clean natural gas – are the direct result of collaborative funding partnerships between public and private sources. However, over the last 20 years, investments into natural gas technology and innovation have declined, further to market changes in the early 1990’s that made it difficult for utilities to make them.

Now, as governments across Canada are introducing taxes on CO2 emissions, natural gas utilities are proposing that some of those revenues be used to deliver benefits back to the customer, as innovation finances for ideas that reduce costs and environmental impacts. This funding will further enhance Canadian household and commercial/industrial building energy efficiency, and reduce costs for residences, business and industry, all through support for new applications for clean and affordable natural gas. It is estimated that by supporting new gas technologies and new markets, Canada can realize 30 megatonnes of GHG reductions by 2030.

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ICF International Report -Economic and Emissions Benefits of Expanding Natural Gas Distribution Pipelines to Canadian Consumers

In many parts of Canada, the natural gas distribution utility industry is examining measures that would support pipeline connection opportunities to new communities. Natural gas would be used as a replacement fuel for homes, businesses, and industrial facilities. These communities currently rely on higher cost, and in many cases higher carbon emitting, fuels for heat and power. Across Canada, the average annual cost of heating with electricity, propane, and heating oil are two to three times higher than with natural gas. As a result, there exists significant potential cost and emissions benefits to homeowners, businesses, and industries that gain access to the natural gas pipeline system.

ICF worked with the CGA and Canadian distribution utilities to define the scope of expansions and type of customers that would be reached, ultimately settling on projects representing an investment of CDN$ 1.3 billion, to install roughly 6,000 km of pipeline and service lines.

Click here to read the entire Report or the read the Executive Summary