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Clean & Prosperous Institute

Study Mission 3.0: Quebec

May 23-26, 2023

Leaders are learners. As we look to learn about smart climate action, weā€™ve taken two study missions to California and now weā€™re expanding our horizons and traveling to QuĆ©bec.

Why QuƩbec?

QuĆ©bec and Washington have similar economies and similar ambitions. Both are strong in research and technology, aeronautics, hydroelectricity, agriculture, fishing, mining, pharmaceuticals, aluminum, wood, and paper. They produce more maple syrup while we lead in apples.Ā 

Like Washington state, QuƩbec is a clean economy leader, setting the pace for
their country.

QuĆ©bec introduced its cap-and-trade system ten years ago. Washingtonā€™s cap-and-invest system commences this year and is designed to potentially link with the programs in QuĆ©bec and California, meaning that businesses in one jurisdiction can use emission allowances issued by the others for compliance. This increases the number of businesses under the cap, which reduces compliance costs by creating more options for companies to reduce their emissions.

Take a peek at our itinerary and join us for our third study mission and first to an international destination.

ITINERARY

TUESDAY, MAY 23RD

  • Travel day to QuĆ©bec City: see registration page for a discount airfare code
  • Stay overnight in the heart of Old QuĆ©bec City

WEDNESDAY, MAY 24TH

  • Opening Remarks by Benoit Charette, QuĆ©becā€™s Minister of the Environment, the Fight against Climate Change, Wildlife and Parks

Benoit Charette has what may be the best job title in government, Minister of the Environment and the Fight Against Climate Change. And he and others from the Ministry of Environment will brief us on QuĆ©becā€™s Plan for a Green Economy, lessons for Washington state based on QuĆ©becā€™s decade of cap-and-invest experience.

  • Presentations from the Ministry of the Environment on QuĆ©becā€™s Plan for a Green Economy and QuĆ©becā€™s Carbon Market
  • Presentation by QuĆ©becā€™s Climate Change Emissary on Subnational Climate Action and Biodiversity Conservation, Jean Lemire
  • Enjoy an extended lunchtime walking tour of QuĆ©bec City
  • Tour Alstomā€™s Coradia iLint
    hydrogen passenger train

We will tour the iLink, North Americaā€™s first hydrogen-powered train, just weeks before it begins a summer of service along the Saint Lawrence waterway.

  • Reception with QuĆ©becā€™s Minister of International Relations and
    La Francophonie
  • Overnight in QuĆ©bec City

THURSDAY, MAY 25TH

  • Travel to MontrĆ©al
  • Visit ExpoCAM Trucking Exhibit in Saint Hyacinthe to see state-of-the-art zero emissions medium and heavy-duty vehicles

On our way to Montreal, we will visit ExpoCam, a tradeshow for the Canadian trucking industry, and get up-close to Kenworthā€™s T680e class 8 truck, and even enjoy a ride and drive from Volvo!

  • Clean Energy session with Hydro QuĆ©bec and QuĆ©bec Association for the Production of Renewable Energy (AQPER)
  • Transportation Decarbonization session with Propulsion QuĆ©bec and Dunsky
  • Overnight in MontrĆ©al

FRIDAY, MAY 26TH

  • Site visits to clean energy companies. Potential sites include:
    • Lithion Recycling
    • Sustainable Aviation Fuels Consortium
    • Center of Excellence in Transportation Electrification and Energy Storage.

We will tour Hydro-QuĆ©becā€™s internationally renowned research institute, the Center of Excellence, and learn how they are working to revolutionize the world of battery materials by teaming up with major industry players from around the world.

  • Conference ends by 4pm

 

LEARN

How Quebec has implemented its cap and invest policy

  • Plan for a Green Economy 2030
  • Green Hydrogen and Bioenergy Energy Strategy
  • Biodiversity Plan
  • Linkage to Californiaā€™s carbon auctions

How Quebec uses hydropower resources to drive decarbonization.

  • Hear from Hydro-Quebec executives on energy production and markets for green electricity.
  • Renewable energy development in Quebec.
  • Green hydrogen production using hydropower.

About Zero Emission big rigs and hydrogen-powered locomotives

  • Get up-close to Kenworthā€™s T680e class 8 truck and others from Volvo and Daimler.
  • Visit ABB to learn about charging infrastructure needs for MHD Vehicles
  • Learn how Quebec will be the first American site for a hydrogen-powered passenger train.

How Quebec has invested in its clean energy economy

  • Electric and hydrogen vehicles production
  • Battery recycling
  • Port decarbonization

RECOMMENDED FLIGHTS

The registration confirmation page will provide you with an Air Canada discount code that can be used if you book your flight directly on www.aircanada.comĀ 

Ā Tuesday, May 23:

  • Flight AC 514 from Seattle (SEA) to MontrĆ©al (YUL); 1 hour, 10 minute layover;
  • Flight AC 1966 from MontrĆ©al (YUL) to QuĆ©bec (YQB)

Friday, May 26:

  • Flight AC 515 from MontrĆ©al (YUL) to Seattle (SEA) (nonstop flight)

Featured Participants

Senator Matt Boehnke
(R-8)

Senate Environment, Energy & Technology Committee and Senate Ways & Means Committee

Benoit Charette

Minister of the Environment, the Fight against Climate Change, Wildlife and Parks

Representative Jake Fey
(D-27)

House Transportation Committee Chair

Patty Kinswa-Gaiser

Cowlitz Indian Tribe Chairwoman

Jean Lemire

Envoy for Climate Change, Northern and Arctic Affairs

Senator Joe Nguyen
(D-34)

Senate Energy, Environment & Technology Committee ChairĀ 

Representative
Kristine Reeves
(D-30)

House Agriculture and Natural Resources Committee Vice Chair (Invited)

Senator Jesse Salomon (D-32)

Senate Agriculture, Water, Natural Resources & Parks Committee Vice-Chair

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Thank you to our trip sponsors!