Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, I would like to follow up on my Member’s statement today. My questions are for the Minister of ENR. My first question: does Aurora Wood Pellets plan to use tree cuttings in the tops in addition to the timber itself to make these wood pellets, or will these cuttings and tops be burned at the sites where they are being cut? Thank you, Mr. Speaker.
Minister of Environment and Natural Resources.
Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, the full utilization of trees on the harvest system used by Aurora Wood Pellets, this level of detail has not been provided to ENR yet. Pre-harvest prescriptions will determine what happens to treetops scattered onsite. As soon as we have more information to pass on and if it is the wish of committee, we can keep them informed. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.
I thank the Minister for the answer. I think, probably, the standing committee would probably wish to see that. My second question is: I understand that more than 3.5 million hectares of forest have been burned in recent years, leaving behind large tracts of dry and boreal forest. Of course, much of it is in the South Mackenzie region. Using this timber might be an environmentally better source for Aurora Wood Pellet's operations. Has the company considered this, and, if so, what were the results of this consideration?
Yes, it has been considered. Mr. Speaker, yes, it has been considered. The economic viability and lifecycle analysis reports on utilizing burned wood has been provided to Aurora Wood Pellets and Forest Management Agreement holders where the viability of using burned wood declines over time. It has been considered.
I appreciate the department's thinking forward and actually providing that information. I understand that, as time goes on, these trees decay. My third question is: how did overall greenhouse gas emissions figure into the permitting process for the Aurora Wood Pellets project, including the timber cutting permits? If this impact was determined, please tell us what it is.
Reports have been commissioned by ENR to look at greenhouse gas emissions and the forest industry, the substitution of fossil fuels with wood biomass in the Northwest Territories. They demonstrate significant reductions in greenhouse gas emission when utilizing woody biomass. GNWT sees this industry as environmentally sustainable while also offering NWT residents potential savings on heating costs.
Masi. Oral Questions. Member for Nahendeh.
Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I appreciate the Minister's answer and the department working on this project. My final question is: In regards to wood pellets that are being burned now to heat many GNWT buildings, how are the greenhouse gas savings calculated? Thank you, Mr. Speaker.
Wood pellets are now burned at many GNWT buildings, but we don't have this information at our fingertips as to the greenhouse gas saving calculated. The information would need to be confirmed. I will work with my colleague at the Department of Infrastructure. If it is the wish of committee, then we will be able to give them an update. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.
Masi. Oral Questions. Member for Frame Lake.
