The Quebec Centre for Environmental Law appeared in court on Wednesday to take legal action against Swedish manufacturer Northvolt, arguing that construction on the future electric vehicle battery factory began without a proper analysis of its impact on biodiversity in the area. When asked for comment, the group’s lawyer presented several documents, including an assessment from a government biologist, who stated that the information provided by Northvolt was insufficient to evaluate the impact on wildlife in the area.
The lawyers argued that it was “unacceptable” for the provincial Department of Environment to grant permission for the construction to start on the factory site due to the lack of sufficient environmental impact information. Additionally, work was conditioned upon the development of a compensation plan to mitigate the loss of biodiversity, but Northvolt was given three years to present it.
The company had started clearing trees on its 170-hectare site, which is divided between the municipalities of McMasterville and St-Basile-le-Grand, but the work was halted after the Quebec Centre for Environmental Law and three citizens filed an injunction.
It should be noted that American company Northvolt plans to invest $7 billion in building a battery factory in Montreal, which will produce batteries for electric vehicles. Environmental organizations are calling for more thorough environmental impact assessments before the commencement of work to protect the biodiversity of the area.
FAQ:
1. Who appeared in court on Wednesday?
The Quebec Centre for Environmental Law appeared in court on Wednesday.
2. Who did they take legal action against?
The Quebec Centre for Environmental Law took legal action against Swedish manufacturer Northvolt.
3. What was their argument against Northvolt?
The Quebec Centre for Environmental Law argued that construction on the future electric vehicle battery factory began without a proper analysis of its impact on biodiversity in the area.
4. What did the government biologist state about the information provided by Northvolt?
The government biologist stated that the information provided by Northvolt was insufficient to evaluate the impact on wildlife in the area.
5. Why do the lawyers consider it “unacceptable”?
The lawyers consider it “unacceptable” for the provincial Department of Environment to grant permission for the construction to start on the factory site because of the lack of sufficient environmental impact information.
6. What conditions were set for the commencement of work?
The commencement of work was conditioned upon the development of a compensation plan to mitigate the loss of biodiversity.
7. How long does Northvolt have to present the compensation plan?
Northvolt has three years to present the compensation plan.
8. What caused the work to be halted?
The Quebec Centre for Environmental Law and three citizens filed an injunction, which caused the work to be halted.
9. What factory does Northvolt plan to build?
Northvolt plans to invest $7 billion in building a battery factory in Montreal that will produce batteries for electric vehicles.
10. What are environmental organizations advocating for?
Environmental organizations are advocating for more thorough environmental impact assessments before the commencement of work to protect the biodiversity of the area.
The source of the article is from the blog aovotice.cz