Question On Notice No. 196 asked in the Legislative Council on 23 June 2021 by Hon Brad Pettitt
Question Directed to the: Minister for Mental Health representing the Minister for Environment
Parliament: 41 Session: 1
Question
I
refer to the recently approved Greenhouse Gas Abatement Plan (GGAP) for the
proposed Pluto liquefied natural gas (LNG) facility expansion, and I ask:
(a) were
‘Scope 3’ emissions considered as part of the assessment of the GGAP:
(i) if yes to (a), can the Minister please advise how these emissions were considered while assessing the GGAP; and
(b) can
the Minister please advise the estimated annual and lifetime ‘Scope 3’
emissions from the approved expanded Pluto LNG facility:
(i) if
no to (b), why not?
Answered on 18 August 2021
(a - b)
The Pluto Liquefied Natural Gas Development was approved under Ministerial Statement 757. Condition 12 of Ministerial Statement 757 requires the development of a Greenhouse Gas Abatement Program to the requirements of the Minister for Environment on the advice of the Environmental Protection Authority. The Minister for Environment approved the Greenhouse Gas Abatement Program in June 2021 to meet the requirements of Ministerial Statement 757.
At this time the Minister for Environment requested the Environmental Protection Authority inquire into and report on the matter of changing condition 12 of Ministerial Statement 757 to align it with contemporary greenhouse gas conditions reflecting the content of the Pluto LNG Facility Greenhouse Gas Abatement Program.
The Minister notes that the Environmental Protection Authority may request credible estimates of scope 1, 2 and 3 greenhouse gas emissions in applying its Environmental Factor Guideline –Greenhouse Gas Emissions.
Once the Environmental Protection Authority has reported on the inquiry, the Minister will consider the report having due regard to the principles of the Environmental Protection Act 1986 and in particular the Principle of Intergenerational Equity.