McInnis cement plant to create jobs in Gasp region, but Quebec's greenhouse gas emissions to rise by 6%

The long-awaited McInnis cement plant in Port-DanielGascons, Que., is expected to create 200 jobs in the Gasp region but it'salso predicted to produce more greenhouse gas than any other industrial operation in the province.

Premier PhilippeCouillardwas among those on hand today for the plant's official inauguration.

Built at a cost of $1.45 billion, much of that taxpayers' money, the plant is meant to produce a "greener" cement, using biomass instead of coal.

However, the cement plant will produce 1.8 milliontonnesof greenhouse gases per year, making it the largest single emitter in the province.

That will increase greenhouse gas emissions in the province by an estimated twoper centand emissions in Quebec's industrial sector will rise by six per cent.

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The project was not subject to environmental review board hearingsbecause it was initially proposed before the hearings process, known as BAPE,existed.

In 2015, theCouillardgovernment passed a law reaffirming that thePort-DanielGasconsproject would not be required to undergo an environmental review.

22-year wait

In 1995, a geological study found a substantial limestone deposit in the Port-Daniel-Gascons area, spurring then-premier Jacques Parizeau to put $1 million toward a feasibility study.

After some early work, includingthe construction of a dock in 1998, the project stalled for more than a decade.

In January 2014, Premier Pauline Marois announced the government would proceed with the project in partnership with the Bombardier family, which had by then acquired the cement project.

The Quebec government initially provided a $250-million guaranteed loan, and Investissement Qubec provided a $100-million investment.

The Caisse de Dpt, the agency that manages Quebec's public pensions, also invested $100 million in the project.

TheBeaudoin-Bombardiermerger company,Beaudier, provided $750 million in private financing.

Couillard'sLiberal government maintained the deal after it was elected later that year.

The projected cost at the time that the project was approved by Marois was $1 billionbut that budget was exceeded by about $450 million.

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TheCaissedeDptprovided another $125 million, taking control of the project.A further $125 million in private financing was also invested.