{"id":61807,"date":"2023-10-12T10:55:52","date_gmt":"2023-10-12T14:55:52","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/fondationrivieres.org\/?p=61807"},"modified":"2023-10-12T11:12:13","modified_gmt":"2023-10-12T15:12:13","slug":"inauguration-complexe-la-romaine","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/fondationrivieres.org\/en\/inauguration-complexe-la-romaine\/","title":{"rendered":"Inauguration of the La Romaine hydroelectric complex: nothing to be proud of"},"content":{"rendered":"
PRESS RELEASE<\/strong> Montreal, October 12, 2023<\/strong> \u2013 Fondation Rivi\u00e8res judges that the La Romaine hydroelectric complex, whose official inauguration took place this morning, is a very bad example of use of public funds. It costs a minimum of 8.05\u00a2 to produce a kilowatt hour (kWh) in La Romaine, while this energy will be sold to large industries at a preferential rate of around 5.26\u00a2\/kWh, a deadweight loss which will be assumed by the future generations.<\/p> If the two phases of the new Northvolt battery factory are realized, they would have an annual consumption of 2.68 TWh or approximately 30 % of La Romaine's production, according to calculations by the independent energy sector analyst, Jean-Fran\u00e7ois Blain. If the 8 TWh produced annually by La Romaine were to be sold at a discount to attract all the large energy-intensive companies courted by the Legault government, this would represent a net loss of 208 M$ per year.<\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t \u201cThe La Romaine complex was built at a time when interest rates were around 1 %. The same complex today would cost us much more. We are destroying our last wild rivers to make Quebec the Dollarama of energy when there are cheaper and less damaging alternatives. It\u2019s frankly worrying,\u201d laments Andr\u00e9 B\u00e9langer, general director.<\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t The Fondation Rivi\u00e8res recalls that hydroelectricity, although it is a renewable energy, is not without consequences for local communities and theenvironment<\/a>. Flooding land to create reservoirs disrupts aquatic and terrestrial ecosystems in addition to contributing to greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions during construction and the first 20 years of operation.<\/p> Hydro-Qu\u00e9bec is currently conducting a study on the hydroelectric potential of the Petit M\u00e9catina river, which was opposed by the chief of Unamen Shipu. This could suffer the same fate as the Romaine River.<\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t \u201c A power station on the Petit M\u00e9catina river<\/a> would amount to flooding the equivalent of half of the Island of Montreal, or more than 200 km2, and to artificializing one of the last large wild rivers in Quebec while we have not even started serious steps to save money. energy. \u00bb \u2013 Andr\u00e9 B\u00e9langer, general director of Fondation Rivi\u00e8res<\/p> \u201cIf we have to lose our natural heritage for a few dollars, it is high time to redefine what it means to be rich. After all, what is real wealth? \u00bb \u2013 Roy Dupuis, co-founder and spokesperson of Fondation Rivi\u00e8res<\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t Ironically, the co-founder and president of Fondation Rivi\u00e8res, Alain Saladzius, was awarded an honorary doctorate by the Assembly of Governors of the University of Quebec at the time of the inauguration of La Romaine this morning. Mr. Saladzius is rewarded for the implementation of the organization as well as for his exceptional contribution to the protection and development of Quebec rivers.<\/p> Mr. Saladzius co-founded the Foundation with Roy Dupuis, who participated in the documentaries Seek the Current<\/em><\/a> (2010) and After the Roman<\/em><\/a> (2023). The latter highlights the importance of protecting the last wild rivers of Quebec, especially the Magpie River,<\/a> so that it does not suffer the same fate as the Romaine River.<\/p> – 30 –<\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t Visuals:<\/strong><\/p> Photos and trailer ofAfter the Roman<\/em><\/a><\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE<\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\u201cClean\u201d energy? \n<\/h2>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t
The president of the Foundation rewarded for his contribution to the protection of rivers<\/h3>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t
Source<\/h3>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t
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