Northvolt has been sanctioned for a second time in the space of a few months by the Legault government for cutting down too many trees, it has been learned The PressThe company behind the battery plant project, however, claims the cause was “accidental” and has pledged to replant more to compensate.
What there is to know
- Northvolt has received a second notice of non-compliance from the Ministry of the Environment for tree cutting in two areas of the future plant site.
- A replanting plan has been presented to the government, which has not yet approved it.
- The first notice of non-compliance was issued for clearing a marsh that should not have been cleared.
This is what we learn in a new “notice of non-compliance” that we have obtained. The document was sent on July 9 to the Swedish multinational by the Ministry of the Environment, the Fight against Climate Change, Wildlife and Parks (MELCCFP).
Quebec claims to have noted, during an inspection last April, non-compliance with deforestation standards in two wetlands on the site, namely zones MH 73 and MH 65. In the first case, unauthorized cutting took place to the south and north, but also on the bank of the watercourse, while in the second, it was to the east and west.
“We ask you to take the necessary measures without delay to remedy these shortcomings,” the Ministry of the Environment said.
End of March, The Press had revealed that a first notice had already been sent to Northvolt for having cleared a marsh that should not have been cleared in the MH 93 zone. Two mature ash trees and several shrubs had then been cut beyond the limits in this marsh of just over 1000 m2located in the center of the company’s grounds.
While the authorities will not impose a fine on the company for the time being – as was the case in March – the Ministry nevertheless warns that it will always reserve “the right to use any administrative measure” if necessary, including a penalty of between $2,500 and $5,000 per violation.
The fact that this is a second opinion will also be “taken into consideration in any decision relating to the use of any administrative measure”, the Ministry specifies.
An “accidental” cut
Asked to react, Northvolt claims for its part that it was its supplier, the Urban Wood Valorization Center (CVBU), which “accidentally cut down trees outside the authorized work zone.” The cuts in question date back to last February, the date on which the company says it “quickly and proactively” notified the Ministry.
In sector MH 73, first, “10 maple trees, 29 aspen trees and 1 shrub were removed,” confirms the multinational. As for sector MH 65, the overcutting was only reported after a visit by a government inspector due to a difference in interpretation of GPS location data. Four trees were removed in this area, again “accidentally,” the company maintains.
Northvolt is now committing to a “corrective action plan” that will essentially consist of replanting 1.5 times the approximately 44 excess trees cut down, or around 66.
“We are waiting for the approval of this plan” by the Ministry, Northvolt said on this subject.
“We regret this situation,” said a company spokesperson, Emmanuelle Rouillard-Moreau, in a statement sent to The Press. “We continue to act with complete transparency and in collaboration with the [gouvernement] in order to ensure compliance with environmental regulations,” she also assured.
Under high surveillance
The office of Environment Minister Benoit Charette specifies that the reforestation plan is “currently being evaluated” to determine whether it is sufficient in light of the wetland canopy targets.
“It is imperative for the Ministry of the Environment, no compromise can be made: the site will have to be restored by the company. Environmental laws and standards must be respected and we will continue to ensure this,” assured the minister’s press attaché, Mélina Jalbert, in writing.
This comes just weeks after production delays were announced in Sweden, which could slow construction of the government-funded Quebec complex.
The company is struggling to ramp up production of battery cells at its first mega-factory in northern Sweden. BMW had cancelled a contract worth around 3 billion with the Swedish company due to delivery delays.
Northvolt quickly wanted to reassure, however. “Our commitment to Quebec and our intentions to build the factory […] are unchanged. The project is moving forward. Construction is currently continuing,” responded the company’s director of communications in North America, Laurent Therrien, in an interview with The Canadian Press.
With Julien Arsenault, The Press